Container Format

A container format or metafile is a file format that has multiple data streams but in the form of one file, usually along with other data called metadata. Some popular examples of container include compressed archive file (such as ZIP file) and formats designed for video and audio codecs (such as MP4, MKV and AVI). One of the earliest container formats that worked across different types of computer was the Interchange File Format which was released in 1985.