ADPCM and .wav and MP3...Please explain?

[Bruce]

Would someone be kind enough to explain to me the differences and where these are typically used? (...yes, I am an ignoramus!)
Thanx Much!!

 

[drstawl]

ADPCM?
That's Adaptive Delta Pulse Code Modulation.
If you've never heard of it, don't worry about it.
.WAV?
Microsoft raw audio file format. Used for recording, mixing and software processing.
.MP3?
Compressed audio format for internet interchange of sound files.