Formaattiluokkaan

Formaattiluokkaan is a term used in Finnish information management and digital preservation to describe a level of categorization for digital formats. It refers to the grouping of formats by shared technical characteristics and intended use, enabling systematic handling and planning across systems.

The concept is derived from the Finnish words formaatti (format) and luokka (class). In practice, organizations define format classes as top-level categories in a format registry. Each class encompasses formats that share core properties such as encoding, container or wrapper, data structure, and metadata support. The format class serves as a framework for evaluating risk, determining preservation actions, and guiding migrations or conversions.

In use, format classes are integrated with metadata and governance practices. They support decision-making in digital preservation, data migration, and access planning. The approach is commonly aligned with standards and practices in libraries, archives, and information technology, including preservation metadata schemas and cataloging systems.

Typical examples of format classes might include: a document class for textual formats (PDF, PDF/A, DOCX); an image class (JPEG, PNG, TIFF); an audio class (MP3, WAV); and a video class (MP4, MKV). Some classifications also distinguish specialized classes for structured data, archives, or multimedia containers.

Benefits of using a formaattiluokkaan approach include improved interoperability, clearer governance, and more predictable preservation workflows. Limitations arise for formats that span multiple use cases, evolve rapidly, or do not fit neatly into a single class.