DjVu

DjVu[edit | edit source]

DjVu is a file format designed primarily for storing scanned documents and images. It was developed by AT&T Labs in the late 1990s as an alternative to other file formats such as PDF and TIFF. DjVu files are known for their high compression ratios, making them ideal for storing large volumes of scanned documents while maintaining good image quality.

History[edit | edit source]

DjVu was first introduced to the public in 1996 as a way to efficiently store and transmit scanned documents over the internet. It was developed by a team of researchers at AT&T Labs led by Léon Bottou. The name "DjVu" is derived from the French phrase "déjà vu," which means "already seen," reflecting the format's ability to reproduce the visual appearance of a document with high fidelity.

Features[edit | edit source]

One of the key features of DjVu is its ability to compress images and text separately. This allows for efficient storage and transmission of documents, as the compression algorithm can be optimized for each type of content. DjVu files typically achieve compression ratios of 5 to 10 times better than other popular formats like PDF.

Another notable feature of DjVu is its support for progressive loading. This means that a DjVu file can be displayed and navigated even before it is fully downloaded, making it ideal for viewing large documents over slow internet connections.

Usage[edit | edit source]

DjVu is widely used in various fields, including digital libraries, archives, and online publications. Its high compression ratios and progressive loading capabilities make it particularly suitable for storing and distributing large collections of scanned books, journals, and newspapers.

Many online libraries and archives, such as the Internet Archive and the Project Gutenberg, have adopted DjVu as their preferred format for digitized books and documents. DjVu files can be easily viewed using various software applications, including the official DjVu viewer and popular document viewers like Sumatra PDF and Okular.

Categories and Templates[edit | edit source]

To organize articles related to DjVu, it is recommended to use appropriate categories and templates. Some suggested categories include:

Templates can also be used to provide standardized formatting and information. For example, the Template:Infobox file format can be used to display key details about DjVu, such as its developer, initial release date, and file extension.