The Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) was designed as a standard by the CompuServe Information Service to define high-resolution, color raster images. Introduced into the public domain several years ago to promote the exchange of high-quality images between different computer hardware platforms, GIF images are now widely available on bulletin boards and information network systems across the country. Until now, however, GIF file encoders and decoders have been DOS applications, usually shareware programs devised by graphics enthusiasts.
GIF’s widespread popularity has created a surging demand for Windows applications that can handle this file type. The GIF SDK is designed to satisfy the need for a simple means of adding robust support for this versatile graphics format within Windows-based applications.