Graphic Interchange Format. A 256-color image format developed by CompuServe that is one of the most popular ways (along with JPEG images) to display images over the Web. Supports interlacing, transparency, and multiple frames (animation).

A GIF image file containing multiple images.

An undesirable effect that can result from displaying a transparent GIF image against a Web page's background if the background colors of the GIF image and the Web page don't closely match. Most likely to be seen when anti-aliasing is set for text in a text banner or a drop shadow or other blend effect blends with the image's background. The result is a visible "halo" around letterforms or other objects.

HyperText Markup Language. A markup language for preparing documents for display on the World Wide Web. The current version is HTML 4.01 (previous versions were HTML 1.0, HTML 2.0, HTML 3.2, and HTML 4.0).

A software program that edits HTML files, usually with the aid of pull-down menus, toolbars, and wizards.

Includes everything that is nested within a tag in the case of a container tag. A standalone tag is both a tag and an element.

Either a standalone tag, such as <hr> or a container tag, such as <p>...</p>. Generally, the term "tag" references both the start and end tag in a container tag, whereas the term "element" references everything in between as well.

HyperText Transfer Protocol. The protocol used to exchange Web pages and other documents across the Internet.

A term originally coined by Ted Nelson and highlighted by Tim Berners-Lee in his initial definition of the Web ("a wide-area hypermedia information retrieval initiative"). The non-sequential interlinking of multiple media (text, images, sound, animation, and video).

Also a term originally coined by Ted Nelson. A means of providing for non-sequential linking of information.

A link between an HTML document and another HTML document or object file on the Web, allowing for the non-sequential browsing of multiple information sources.

An inline image inserted inside a hypertext link, often displayed with a blue border to show that it's an active link.

An image displayed in a Web browser that has hidden "hotspots" that link to designated URLs.

A hypertext link inserted within a paragraph or other text, rather than in a separate list or menu of links.

An HTML element that is displayed "in a line," at the point of its insertion in a Web page. An inline element does not force the display of line breaks before and after, as is the case with a block element. Examples of inline elements include the I (Italic), B (Bold), and IMG (Image) elements.

An image (GIF, JPEG, or PNG) that's displayed inline ("in a line") on a Web page. The IMG element is an inline element.

A GIF image that is displayed in several passes, with only some of the image lines displayed each time, until all the lines have been displayed.

A set of protocols for transmitting and exchanging data among networks.

Internet Protocol address. A unique number, such as 185.35.117.0, assigned to a server on the Internet.

Internet Presence Provider, also often called a Web host or Web space provider. A company that rents out Web space.

Internet Service Provider, also often called an access provider. A company that provides dial-up access to the Internet.