# ST disk image
**Wikidata**: [Q27988078](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27988078)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/st-disk-image

## Summary
An **ST disk image** is a computer file that contains the exact contents and structure of a disk volume, specifically designed for the **Atari ST** computer and its floppy disks. It uses the **.st** file extension and is a type of disk image format.

## Key Facts
- **File extension**: `.st`
- **Instance of**: Disk image, specifically for **Atari ST floppy disks**
- **Related to**: Disk image (a computer file containing disk volume data)
- **Aliases**: `.ST` (file extension)
- **File format wiki page**: ST_disk_image (source: Wikidata + academic references)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of an ST disk image?
A: An ST disk image is a digital copy of an Atari ST floppy disk, allowing the disk's contents to be stored as a file and later restored to physical media or emulated.

### Q: What file extension does an ST disk image use?
A: ST disk images use the `.st` file extension.

### Q: Which computer system is the ST disk image format associated with?
A: The ST disk image format is specifically designed for the **Atari ST** computer and its floppy disks.

## Why It Matters
The ST disk image format is significant for preserving and distributing software for the Atari ST platform. Since the Atari ST was a popular 16/32-bit home computer in the 1980s and early 1990s, ST disk images allow users to archive, share, and emulate software without needing physical floppy disks. This format ensures the longevity of software for the platform, which remains active in retrocomputing communities.

## Notable For
- **Platform-specific**: One of the few disk image formats tailored exclusively for the Atari ST.
- **Legacy preservation**: Enables the archival and distribution of software for a now-obsolete but historically important computer.
- **Emulation support**: Used in emulators to replicate the original floppy disk experience.

## Body
### File Format Details
- The **ST disk image** format is a direct copy of an Atari ST floppy disk, stored as a single file.
- It preserves the exact sector layout and data structure of the original disk.
- The `.st` extension is the standard identifier for this format.

### Historical Context
- The Atari ST was a 16/32-bit home computer released in the late 1980s, known for its advanced graphics and multitasking capabilities.
- ST disk images became essential for software distribution and preservation in the era before widespread digital distribution.

### Usage
- ST disk images are used in emulators to run Atari ST software without physical disks.
- They are also employed in retrocomputing projects to archive and share software legally.