SVG

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), is a a language for describing two-dimensional vector and mixed vector/raster graphics in XML defined by the W3C.

SVG allows for three types of graphic objects:

• vector graphic shapes (e.g., paths consisting of straight lines and curves), 
• images 
• text

Graphical objects can be grouped, styled, transformed and composited into previously rendered objects. The feature set includes nested transformations, clipping paths, alpha masks, filter effects and template objects.  SVG drawings can be interactive and dynamic. Animations can be defined and triggered either declaratively (i.e., by embedding SVG animation elements in SVG content) or via scripting.

Sophisticated applications of SVG are possible by use of supplemental scripting language with access to SVG's Document Object Model (DOM), which provides complete access to all elements, attributes and properties. A rich set of event handlers such as onmouseover and onclick can be assigned to any SVG graphical object. Because of its compatibility and leveraging of other Web standards, features like scripting can be done on XHTML and SVG elements simultaneously within the same Web page.

On September 5, 2001, SVG became a W3C Recommendation.