SVG and GIF explained
SVG is not a picture of an image — it is XML describing shapes, paths and text. Because it stores instructions rather than pixels, it renders perfectly at any size, from a favicon to a billboard.
GIF is a 1987 format limited to a 256-colour palette per frame, with support for simple animation and one fully transparent colour. Its longevity is cultural rather than technical — nothing about it is efficient by modern standards.
- Where SVG files come from
- Design tools like Figma and Illustrator, and icon libraries.
- Where GIF is used
- Reaction images, simple UI animations, and screen recordings shared in chat.