Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an emerging graphic standard for designing two-dimensional (2D) graphics for the Web.

SVG is based on the XML and vector graphics technology and developed by the W3C organization. It promises to bring the fast, high quality, and rich-content graphics to the web while overcoming the shortcomings of traditional raster graphics. It is also a non-proprietary alternative to Flash.

SVG introduces a new generation of sophisticated Web graphics. Unlike traditional graphic format, SVG uses a series of text-based XML commands to describe graphics without using any image files. It can offer low-bandwidth vector graphical content that is perfectly scalable, and allow animation, interactivity, and database-driven content updatable in real time.

SVG also introduces a lot of exciting features such as scripting, gradients, filter effect and others to the Web graphics world. It can be seamlessly integrated into other existing web technologies to create sophisticated, interactive visualization environments in the Internet.

SVG isn't a format just for fancy graphics. It's a serious application designed to match the most recent advancements in 2D graphics. With SVG, complex graphics layouts, typography, cartography, resolution-scalable artworks and highly interactive animations are all possible for the Web pages and other applications.