PDB file format
| Extension | .pdb |
| Category | documents |
| Programs | Palm Reader Microsoft Visual Studio Pegasus Quicken |
| Main program | ICE Book Reader |
| Description | PDB files received their .sfw extension from the company Seattle FilmWorks, which developed the proprietary file format. In the early 1990s, the PDB file format was widely used with mobile devices such as the Nokia Navigator, which fell into the Palmtop category. It had the capability to support various types of documents including eBooks, Word documents, images, maps, and spreadsheets. A limitation of the PDB format is that it is not compatible across different platforms; a similar program is required on the device in order to access the content stored in a PDB file. |
| Technical details | PDB files can automatically adjust the content dimensions to fit the device output size. However, PDB format files lack several features found in newer eBook formats. PDB files also utilize a unique data encryption system that helps reduce file size compared to other formats. The ability to compress file size was a key factor that made PDB format the default choice for Palmtop devices in the 1990s, which typically had limited storage capacity. |
| MIME type | application/vnd.palm |