<P> iTunes keeps track of songs by creating a virtual library , allowing users to access and edit a song 's attributes . These attributes , known as metadata , are stored in a binary library file called iTunes Library , which uses a proprietary file format ( `` ITL '' ) . It caches information like artist and genre from the audio format 's tag capabilities ( the ID3 tag , for example ) and stores iTunes - specific information like play count and rating . iTunes typically reads library data only from this file . A second file can also be created if users activate a preference ; the iTunes Music Library. xml file is refreshed whenever information in iTunes is changed . It uses an XML format , allowing third - party apps to access the library information ( including play count , last played date , and rating , which are not standard fields in the ID3v2. 3 format ) . Apple 's own iDVD , iMovie , and iPhoto applications all access the library . If the first file exists but is corrupted , such as by making it zero - length , iTunes will attempt to reconstruct it from the XML file . Detailed third - party instructions regarding this can be found elsewhere . Beginning with iTunes 10.5. 3 this behavior has been changed such that the XML file is not read automatically to recreate the database when the database is corrupted . Rather , the user should load the iTunes Library. xml file via File > Library > Import Playlist ... </P>
<P> iTunes keeps track of songs by creating a virtual library , allowing users to access and edit a song 's attributes . These attributes , known as metadata , are stored in a binary library file called iTunes Library , which uses a proprietary file format ( `` ITL '' ) . It caches information like artist and genre from the audio format 's tag capabilities ( the ID3 tag , for example ) and stores iTunes - specific information like play count and rating . iTunes typically reads library data only from this file . A second file can also be created if users activate a preference ; the iTunes Music Library. xml file is refreshed whenever information in iTunes is changed . It uses an XML format , allowing third - party apps to access the library information ( including play count , last played date , and rating , which are not standard fields in the ID3v2. 3 format ) . Apple 's own iDVD , iMovie , and iPhoto applications all access the library . If the first file exists but is corrupted , such as by making it zero - length , iTunes will attempt to reconstruct it from the XML file . Detailed third - party instructions regarding this can be found elsewhere . Beginning with iTunes 10.5. 3 this behavior has been changed such that the XML file is not read automatically to recreate the database when the database is corrupted . Rather , the user should load the iTunes Library. xml file via File > Library > Import Playlist ... </P>
what type of audio file does itunes use
what type of audio file does itunes use
a proprietary file format ( `` ITL '' )
a proprietary file format ( `` ITL '' )