Short for
Scalable Vector Graphics, a
vector graphics file format that enables two-dimensional images to be displayed in
XML pages on the Web. Vector images are created through text-based commands formatted to comply with XML specifications. In contrast to
JPEG and
GIF images on the Web, which are bitmapped and always remain a specified size, SVG images are scalable to the size of the viewing window and will adjust in size and resolution according to the window in which it is displayed.
Benefits of SVG include:
- smaller files size than regular bitmapped graphics such as GIF and JPEG files
- resolution independence, so that the image can scale down or up to fit proportionally into any size display on any type of Web device
- text labels and descriptions that can be searched by search engines
- ability to link to parts of an image
- complex animation
