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*Details: File format summary

   
 

 

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Summary

Name Graphics Interchange Format
Version 89a
Other names GIF (1989a)
Identifiers Apple Uniform Type Identifier:  com.compuserve.gif
PUID:  fmt/4
MIME:  image/gif
Family  
Classification Image (Raster)
Disclosure Full
Description The Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) is a raster image format developed by Compuserve, primarily for use on the internet. A GIF file begins with a Header section and a Logical Screen Descriptor section. This is followed by one or more Image sections, and the file is terminated by a Trailer. GIF supports bit depths between 1 and 8 bits (i.e. up to 256 colours) and supports features such as interlacing and transparency. Images are always stored using lossless LZW compression. GIF 89a introduced a number of new features, including a series of optional Control Extensions, which can be used to control the rendering of images within a file.
Orientation Binary
Byte order Little-endian (Intel)
Related file formats Is subsequent version of Graphics Interchange Format (87a)
Technical Environment  
Released 31 Jul 1990
Supported until  
Format Risk  
Developed by Compuserve Incorporated
Supported by None.
Source Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives
Source date 11 Mar 2005
Source description  
Last updated 02 Aug 2005
Note  
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