GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a format to store graphic images. The GIF format can store compressed images, supports up to 8 bits per pixel, allowing a single image to reference a palette of up to 256 distinct colors. The GIF format was introduced by CompuServe in 1987 and has since come into widespread usage on the World Wide Web. In 1989 the format was modified (GIF89a), and transparency and animation was added. GIF uses LZW-compression. It allows reducing the file size without degrading the visual quality (logos, schemes). GIF is widely used in World Wide Web.