ipfs

IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) is a peer-to-peer protocol for storing and sharing data without relying on a central server. Instead of fetching a file from one specific server at a specific address (like a URL pointing to a company's server), IPFS lets you request a file by its content — a unique fingerprint of what is in the file — and retrieve it from any node in a distributed network that has a copy.

The problem it addresses is that the web is fragile and centralized: if a company's server goes down or they delete a file, it disappears. With IPFS, as long as anyone on the network has a copy of the file, it remains accessible. This also means popular content can be served faster because it can come from nearby nodes rather than one distant server.

You would use this if you are building applications that need censorship-resistant storage, permanent archiving of content, or decentralized file sharing — common use cases in blockchain applications, NFTs, and distributed web projects. This particular repository is the hub for IPFS documentation, community links, and the protocol specifications rather than a runnable implementation.