Tekstiedostojen

Tekstiedostot, often referred to as plain text files, are a fundamental concept in computing. They are computer files that contain only character data, meaning they store text without any formatting, styling, or embedded objects. This distinction is crucial as it separates them from richer file formats like word processing documents (e.g., .docx) or web pages (e.g., .html).

The primary characteristic of a tekstiedosto is its simplicity and universality. Because they are not reliant on specific software or proprietary encoding, they can be opened, read, and edited by virtually any text editor or operating system. Common examples of file extensions for tekstiedostot include .txt, .csv (comma-separated values), .ini, and .log.

Tekstiedostot serve a wide range of purposes. They are used for configuration files that store settings for software applications, for data exchange between different programs, for simple notes and documentation, and as a fundamental building block for many programming languages. Their lack of formatting also makes them ideal for version control systems, as changes are easily tracked at the character level. While they may lack the visual appeal of formatted documents, their portability and compatibility make them an indispensable tool in the digital world.