Variant Call Format (VCF) is a standardized text file format used to store information about genetic variants. It is commonly used in bioinformatics to represent differences in DNA sequences, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions or deletions (indels). VCF files contain metadata, a header section, and data lines that describe the variants found in a sample compared to a reference genome. Each line in a VCF file provides details about a specific variant, including its position, type, and quality metrics. VCF files can also include genotype information for multiple samples, making them useful for population studies and personalized medicine.