GIF
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GIF
Definition
Graphics Interchange Format: a bitmap image format supporting up to 256 colors, lossless compression, and animation. Created by CompuServe in 1987.
GIF: Animations That Shaped the Internet
GIF was introduced by CompuServe in 1987 and became one of the most culturally significant file formats on the internet. Its support for simple frame-based animation made it the standard for short animated clips, reaction images, and internet memes. GIF uses LZW compression and supports up to 256 colors per frame with 1-bit transparency. Despite being technically inferior to modern formats like WebP and AVIF for animation, GIF remains ubiquitous due to universal browser support and its deep integration into messaging platforms and social media.