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data sovereignty


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Definition: native format


The file format that an application normally reads and writes. The native format of a Microsoft Word document is different from the native format of a WordPerfect document, etc., and there are many et ceteras. Image editing programs, which read a raft of different graphics file types, may also have a native format. For example, although Photoshop supports numerous graphics formats, it has its own proprietary PSD format (see PSD). Contrast with foreign format. See file format.