GIF

in full Graphics Interchange Format

Standard computer file format for graphic images. GIF files use data compression to reduce the file size. The original version of the format was developed by CompuServe in 1987. The current version supports animated GIFs (a graphics image that moves). GIF and JPEG are the most commonly used graphics formats on the Internet.

GIF

(Graphics Interchange Format) A popular bitmapped graphics file format developed by CompuServe. Pronounced "giff" with a hard "g" by most Mac users and "jiff" by PC users, GIFs are widely used on the Web because the format uses its own form of compression.

GIF supports 8-bit color (256 colors), but gets the most mileage out of its limited colors by using a built-in color palette. For example, the palette for an image of a forest would mostly contain shades of green and brown. If colors are within a tight range, this method provides extraordinary realism in an 8-bit image. See indexed color.

GIF87a and GIF89a
There are two GIF versions: the original GIF87a and subsequent GIF89a, both named after their year of introduction. GIF89a allows one of the colors to be made transparent (see alpha channel) and take on the background color of the underlying page or window. GIF89a also supports animated GIFs, which use multiple frames in sequence to simulate movement (see animated GIF).

GIFs and JPEGs
Both GIF and JPEG images are widely used on the Web and are supported by all Web software that displays graphics. Charts, screen shots and technical drawings with text are typically GIFs (8-bit). Photographs are generally better rendered as JPEGs (24-bit). See JPEG, graphics formats and GIF patents.

More Shades Than Apparent

At first glance, it looks like the Android robot logo is only green, white and black. Zooming into one of its antennas (middle) shows more shades (see dithering).

Even More Colors

The GIF format picks the 256 most used colors in an image. Notice how the colors in the palettes match the two images.

GIF Computing

a. a standard compressed file format used for pictures

b. a picture held in this format

GIF [gif]

(computer science)

graphics interchange format

GIF - Graphics Interchange Format

Mentioned in	?		References in classic literature	?		Encyclopedia browser	?		Full browser	?
No references found	And so, as king of the country, apprehended the said Mr Allan, and carried him to the house of Denure, where for a season he was honourably treated, (gif a prisoner can think any entertainment pleasing;) but after that certain days were spent, and that the Earl could not obtain the feus of Crossraguel according to his awin appetite, he determined to prove gif a collation could work that which neither dinner nor supper could do for a long time. Ivanhoe by Scott, Walter View in context The `effalunt' sat up, looking as much in earnest as any of them, and said soberly to me, "I gif you my wort it is so, if we make too large a noise you shall say Hush Little Women by Alcott, Louisa May View in context If I was you, Bertran, I would gif my wife for wedding present der stuff figure of Bimi. From Mine Own People by Kipling, Rudyard View in context	Gidromettsentr SSSR Gidroproekt Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitelstvo Gidrotekhnika i Melioratsiia Gidrotorf Gidrougol Gidzhak Giedion, Sigfried Giedrys, Kazys Giedrys, Kazys Juozovich Giegy-Hardisty process Gielgud Gielgud, John Arthur Gielgud, Sir John Giemsa stain Gierek, Edward Gierke, Otto Von Giers, Nikolai Karlovich Giers, Nikolay Gierymski, Maksymilian and Alexander Gies, William John Giesebrecht, Wilhelm von Gieseking, Walter Giesler coal test Giessen GIF GIF animation GIF animator GIF patents GIF89 GIF89a gifblaar poison GIFF Giffard, Henri Gifford Pinchot National Forest Gifford Pinchot State Park Gifford Woods State Park Gifford, Frank Gifford, Sanford Gifford, Sanford R. Gifford, William GIFSCII Gift gift exchange Gift of the Magi, The Gift of the Waters Pageant gifted child Gifu Gig gig mill gig stick	Gierke's disease Gierke, Otto Von Giers, Nikolai Karlovich Giers, Nikolay Gierymski, Maksymilian and Alexander Gies Gies Gies, William John Giesebrecht, Friedrich Wilhelm Benjamin von Giesebrecht, Wilhelm von Giesecke and Devrient GmbH Gieseckite Gieseking, Walter Giesler Broadcasting Supply, Inc Giesler coal test Giesma GIESORC Giessen Giessen Giessen Gießen Gießen Gießen Gießen Giessen Symptom Check List Giessener Graduiertenzentrum Kulturwissenschaften GIET GIEU GIEW GIEWS GIF GIF animation GIF animation GIF animator GIF animator GIF file GIF file GIF file GIF file GIF patents GIF-D GIF89 GIF89 GIF89a GIFA Gifa, Metec, Thermprocess, Newcast GIFAD GIFAFI GIFAM gifappel GIFAS gifblaar gifblaar poison gifbossie GIFC GIFCA GIFCO GIFCU GIFE Giff Giff

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

Encyclopedia browser

Full browser

No references found

And so, as king of the country, apprehended the said Mr Allan, and carried him to the house of Denure, where for a season he was honourably treated, (gif a prisoner can think any entertainment pleasing;) but after that certain days were spent, and that the Earl could not obtain the feus of Crossraguel according to his awin appetite, he determined to prove gif a collation could work that which neither dinner nor supper could do for a long time.

Ivanhoe by Scott, Walter View in context

The `effalunt' sat up, looking as much in earnest as any of them, and said soberly to me, "I gif you my wort it is so, if we make too large a noise you shall say Hush

Little Women by Alcott, Louisa May View in context

If I was you, Bertran, I would gif my wife for wedding present der stuff figure of Bimi.

From Mine Own People by Kipling, Rudyard View in context