1. A computer-implemented method for selecting a file format from a plurality of stored file formats for use in performing a translation from a selected file format to a requested file format, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a request for a data file in a requested format; determining an optimal file format of said data file from a plurality of stored file formats of said data file for use in performing said translation to said requested file format; translating the optimal file format of said data file determined in said determining step to the requested file format, and providing the requested file format to a user.