SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics. It is an XML-based markup language used to define two-dimensional vector graphics. Unlike raster images (such as JPEG or PNG), SVGs store images as mathematical formulas based on points and lines, which allows them to be scaled to any size without losing quality. This makes SVGs ideal for logos, icons, illustrations, and other graphics that need to look sharp across different screen sizes. Key features of SVG include:
- Scalability without loss of image quality.
- Being text-based and editable with text editors or vector graphic software.
- Compatibility with web standards (CSS, DOM, JavaScript).
- Search engine readability because SVG text is stored as literal text, helping with SEO.
- Support for interactivity and animation.
SVG files use the .svg extension and are widely supported by modern web browsers. They are commonly used in web design and digital graphics due to their flexibility and performance advantages over raster images. In summary, SVG is a flexible, high-quality vector graphic format that is crucial for responsive and scalable web graphics. Its development as an open standard by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) began in 1999 and it has grown popular for web use since around 2017.