# PASTI

> floppy disk image format

**Wikidata**: [Q27988044](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27988044)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pasti

## Summary
PASTI is a floppy disk image format specifically designed for Atari ST systems. It preserves the contents and structure of floppy disks in digital format using the .stx file extension.

## Key Facts
- PASTI is classified as a disk image format specifically created for Atari ST floppy disks
- The file extension for PASTI is .stx (also known simply as STX)
- PASTI uses a media type of application/octet-stream
- The format has a PRONOM file format ID of fmt/1904
- PASTI files can be identified by the hexadecimal pattern 52535900 at the beginning of the file
- PASTI is categorized under disk image class with qualifiers for both Atari ST and floppy disk

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of PASTI?
A: PASTI is a floppy disk image format designed to preserve the contents and structure of Atari ST floppy disks in digital form, allowing for archival, backup, and emulation purposes.

### Q: How do I recognize a PASTI file?
A: PASTI files typically use the .stx file extension and contain the hexadecimal pattern 52535900 at the beginning of the file, making them identifiable to preservation systems.

### Q: Which computer systems is PASTI associated with?
A: PASTI is specifically designed for Atari ST systems, as indicated by its classification as an instance of disk image with qualifiers for both Atari ST and floppy disk.

### Q: What technical identifiers does PASTI have?
A: PASTI has a PRONOM file format ID of fmt/1904, a media type of application/octet-stream, and a file format wiki page ID of STX.

## Why It Matters
PASTI serves as a crucial preservation format for legacy Atari ST floppy disks, which are increasingly rare and becoming difficult to access through original hardware. By creating accurate digital representations, PASTI enables historians, retrocomputing enthusiasts, and researchers to maintain access to software and data that would otherwise be lost to time. The format's specialized design for Atari ST systems ensures precise replication of disk structure and contents, maintaining compatibility with emulators and preservation systems. This contributes to the broader digital preservation ecosystem by providing a standardized method to archive and share Atari ST content, ensuring that cultural and historical artifacts from this computing era remain accessible for future generations.

## Notable For
- PASTI is specifically tailored for Atari ST floppy disks, making it more specialized than general disk image formats
- The format uses a unique hexadecimal identification pattern (52535900) at the beginning of files for specific detection
- It has an official PRONOM file format ID (fmt/1904), indicating its recognition in the digital preservation community
- PASTI maintains the exact structure of Atari ST floppy disks, unlike more generic disk image formats

## Body
### Technical Specifications
- File extension: .stx (also known as STX)
- Media type: application/octet-stream
- PRONOM file format ID: fmt/1904
- File format wiki page ID: STX
- File format identification pattern: 52535900 (hexadecimal, located at the beginning of the file)

### Classification
- Instance of: disk image
- Qualifiers: Atari ST, floppy disk
- Aliases: Pasti, STX, .stx, Pasti Floppy Disk Image

### Purpose and Usage
- Designed specifically for preserving Atari ST floppy disks
- Enables digital archiving and emulation of legacy Atari ST software and data
- Maintains the exact structure and contents of original floppy disks for accurate preservation

## References

1. [TrID](https://mark0.net/soft-tridscan-e.html)
2. [Source](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/PRONOM/fmt/1904)