# Amiga Disk image File (generic)

> file format

**Wikidata**: [Q105854054](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105854054)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/amiga-disk-image-file-generic

## Summary
An **Amiga Disk image File (generic)** is a disk image file format used to store the contents and structure of Amiga disk volumes. It is commonly associated with the `.adf` file extension and is used for emulation, preservation, and data recovery of Amiga software.

## Key Facts
- **File format type**: Disk image (contains the contents and structure of a disk volume).
- **Primary file extension**: `.adf`.
- **Media type**: `application/x-amiga-disk-format` (unofficial).
- **Identification pattern**: Begins with the hexadecimal signature `444F53` (DOS) at the start of the file.
- **Related variants**: Includes multiple sub-formats such as FFS, OFS, and combinations with DIRC/INTL.
- **Usage**: Primarily for Amiga emulation, software preservation, and disk archiving.

## FAQs
### Q: What is an Amiga Disk image File (ADF) used for?
A: It is used to create exact copies of Amiga floppy disks for emulation, backup, and preservation of classic Amiga software.

### Q: What file extension does an Amiga Disk image File use?
A: The standard file extension is `.adf`.

### Q: How can you identify an Amiga Disk image File?
A: It starts with the hexadecimal signature `444F53` (DOS) at the beginning of the file.

### Q: Are there different types of Amiga Disk image Files?
A: Yes, variants include FFS, OFS, and combinations with DIRC (directory cache) and INTL (international mode).

### Q: Is the Amiga Disk image File format officially standardized?
A: No, the media type `application/x-amiga-disk-format` is unofficial.

## Why It Matters
The Amiga Disk image File (ADF) format plays a crucial role in preserving Amiga software and enabling emulation. It allows users to run classic Amiga applications and games on modern systems, ensuring compatibility with historical computing environments. The format’s structure and identification patterns make it reliable for archival purposes, preventing data loss from aging physical media. For retro computing enthusiasts, developers, and historians, ADF files are essential for maintaining access to Amiga’s legacy software ecosystem.

## Notable For
- **Preservation**: Enables long-term storage and emulation of Amiga software.
- **Emulation support**: Widely used in Amiga emulators like WinUAE and FS-UAE.
- **File signature**: Unique hexadecimal identifier (`444F53`) for easy detection.
- **Multiple variants**: Supports different Amiga filesystem formats (FFS, OFS, etc.).
- **Unofficial standardization**: Recognized by the `application/x-amiga-disk-format` media type.

## Body
### Overview
The **Amiga Disk image File (generic)** is a disk image format designed to replicate the contents of Amiga floppy disks. It is primarily used for emulation, software preservation, and data recovery.

### File Structure
- **File extension**: `.adf`.
- **Media type**: `application/x-amiga-disk-format` (unofficial, as of 2023).
- **Identification pattern**: Begins with `444F53` (hexadecimal for "DOS") at offset 0.

### Variants
The format includes several sub-types, each corresponding to different Amiga filesystem configurations:
- **FFS (Fast File System)**
- **OFS (Old File System)**
- **Combinations with DIRC (directory cache) and INTL (international mode)**

### Usage
- **Emulation**: Used in Amiga emulators to load disk images.
- **Preservation**: Archives Amiga software for future access.
- **Data recovery**: Extracts data from damaged or obsolete Amiga disks.

### Technical Details
- **File signature**: `444F53` (DOS) at the start of the file.
- **References**: Documented in the TrID file identifier database and shared-mime-info repositories.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Amiga Disk image File (generic)",
  "description": "A disk image file format used to store the contents and structure of Amiga disk volumes.",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADF_(Amiga)",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q84423633"],
  "additionalType": "DiskImage"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/xdg/shared-mime-info/-/commit/ce6310200ab9df5e4eb390ee9f57268470d065bc)
2. [TrID](https://mark0.net/soft-tridscan-e.html)