A binary representation in which a bit or set of bits corresponds to some part of an object such as an image or font. For example, in monochrome systems, one bit represents one pixel on screen. For gray scale or color, several bits in the bitmap represent one pixel or group of pixels. The term may also refer to the memory area that holds the bitmap.
Graphics and Tables
A bitmap is usually associated with graphics, in which the bits are a direct representation of the pixels in the image. However, bitmaps can be used as tables to represent and keep track of anything, where each set of bits is assigned a value or condition. See BMP.
A Monochrome Bitmap
The left half of this diagram shows the bits in the bitmap, and the right half depicts what would show on screen. In monochrome systems, one bit is used to represent one pixel. Images that are scanned into the computer are turned into bitmaps, and bitmaps can be created in a paint program.
Graphics and Tables
A bitmap is usually associated with graphics, in which the bits are a direct representation of the pixels in the image. However, bitmaps can be used as tables to represent and keep track of anything, where each set of bits is assigned a value or condition. See BMP.
A Monochrome Bitmap
The left half of this diagram shows the bits in the bitmap, and the right half depicts what would show on screen. In monochrome systems, one bit is used to represent one pixel. Images that are scanned into the computer are turned into bitmaps, and bitmaps can be created in a paint program.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
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