The PDF (Portable Document Format) file format is a widely used standard developed by Adobe for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems. It encapsulates a complete description of a fixed-layout flat document, including the text, fonts, graphics, and other information needed to display it. PDFs are designed to preserve the visual appearance of a document regardless of the environment in which it is viewed or printed. This makes them ideal for sharing documents across different platforms and ensuring that the recipient sees the document as the author intended. PDFs can also incorporate interactive elements such as hyperlinks, form fields, and multimedia content. They are commonly used for distributing documents online, archiving important records, and creating print-ready files. Security features like password protection and digital signatures can be added to PDFs to control access and verify authenticity. The PDF format has become an essential tool for document management and exchange in both personal and professional settings.