GIF (Graphic Interchange Format)
The GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) file format is the traditional darling of the Web. It was the first file format to be supported by web browsers, and it continues to be the format for the vast majority of graphics on the Web today.
GIFs are indexed color files with a maximum 8-bit palette capacity, which means that a GIF can contain a maximum of 256 pixel colors. Because they compress color information by rows of pixels, GIF files are most appropriate for graphics that contain areas of flat color, such as logos, cartoon-like illustrations, icons, and line art. GIFs are not efficient at saving photographic images.
GIFs have other advantages. You can make parts of a GIF file transparent, allowing your background image or color to show through. They can also contain multiple images, allowing for simple, self-contained animations. The vast majority of animated ad banners you see on the Web are animated GIFs.
See Chapter 29 for complete information on the GIF file format. Animated GIFs are discussed in Chapter 32.
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