The PPM (Portable Pixmap) image format is a straightforward representation for storing color images. Part of the Netpbm format family, PPM files use a plain text or binary format to encode pixel values in RGB (Red, Green, Blue) format. This allows PPM files to represent a wide range of colors in a simple and readable manner. While not as space-efficient as compressed formats, PPM is valued for its simplicity and ease of creation, often used in scenarios where human readability and uncomplicated image structures are prioritized.