A GIF, or Graphics Interchange Format, is a type of image file that supports both static and animated images. It was developed in 1987 and is widely used on the internet for sharing short animations or looping videos. GIFs are popular on social media and messaging platforms because they can convey emotions or reactions quickly and effectively. One of the key features of GIFs is their ability to support transparency and a limited color palette of up to 256 colors. This makes them suitable for simple graphics and animations, but less ideal for high-quality photographs. Despite this limitation, GIFs remain a popular choice for creative expression online.