PNG
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a raster graphics file format that supports lossless data compression, making it ideal for storing and transmitting images without quality degradation. It was created as an improved, patent-free replacement for GIF and supports features like transparency, gamma correction, and color correction. PNG is widely used for web graphics, digital photography, and applications requiring high-quality image preservation.
Developers should use PNG when they need lossless compression for images with sharp edges, text, or transparency, such as logos, icons, screenshots, and graphics with alpha channels. It is particularly useful in web development for images that require crisp details and support for transparent backgrounds, as it avoids the artifacts common in lossy formats like JPEG. PNG is also essential in applications where image quality must be preserved across multiple edits or transmissions.