Bitmapped file

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Bitmapped file

A bitmapped file, also known as a raster image, is composed of tiny colored squares called pixels, and each pixel’s color value is stored as a binary number. When displayed on a screen, the pixels create a complete image.

What does Bitmapped file mean?

A bitmapped file is a digital image composed of an array of pixels, where each pixel is represented by a single bit. Each pixel can be turned on or off, corresponding to two Binary values (0 or 1). This binary representation makes bitmapped files suitable for monochrome images with simple graphics, such as logos, icons, and line drawings.

Bitmapped files are also known as raster images because they are defined by a Grid of pixels that are arranged in rows and columns. The resolution of a bitmapped file, measured in pixels per inch (PPI), determines its clarity and detail. The higher the PPI, the sharper and more detailed the image.

Applications

Bitmapped files play a significant role in technology today due to their simplicity, flexibility, and compatibility. They are widely used in various applications, including:

  • Computer graphics: Bitmaps are commonly used for Creating and displaying simple graphics, icons, and logos in software interfaces and web pages.
  • Image editing: Bitmaps can be easily edited using image editing software, allowing for straightforward cropping, resizing, and manipulation of individual pixels.
  • Printers and scanners: Bitmapped files are used in printers and scanners to capture and reproduce images with accurate detail.
  • Video games: Early video games relied heavily on bitmaps to display graphics due to their low computational overhead.

History

The concept of bitmapped files emerged in the early days of computer graphics, with the development of display devices capable of displaying a grid of pixels. One of the First notable applications of bitmaps was in the Xerox Alto, a pioneering personal computer that introduced graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

Bitmaps gained widespread popularity in the 1980s with the advent of personal computers and the rise of graphical operating systems like Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh. These systems utilized bitmaps for icons, buttons, and other graphical elements within their interfaces.

Since then, bitmapped files have become a fundamental part of computer graphics and imaging, despite the emergence of more advanced file formats like Vector graphics. Their simplicity, compatibility, and ease of manipulation make them indispensable for a wide range of applications.