BMP (Bitmap Image File) 

The BMP (Bitmap Image File), also known as Device Independent Bitmap (DIB), is a raster graphics image file format developed by Microsoft. It was first introduced in 1986 as part of the Windows operating system. Its architecture is straightforward: an image consists of a file header, DIB header, color palette (optional), and pixel data stored in a grid of rows and columns. Each pixel is represented by color values, and BMP supports various bit depths (1-bit monochrome to 32-bit with alpha channel).

Unlike compressed formats, BMP stores data in an uncompressed or losslessly compressed form, making the files quite large. This simplicity allowed early systems to process images without heavy computation. The format was widely used in Windows software, icons, and wallpapers due to its compatibility and ease of implementation.

Applications of BMP include medical imaging, system icons, and raw image editing, where image quality preservation is more important than storage efficiency. However, because of its large size, BMP has largely been replaced in the web and digital media by formats like PNG and JPG.

People generally do not choose BMP voluntarily today; its use is more application-driven, especially in software requiring exact pixel data. BMP is still relevant in specialized domains but not popular for everyday use due to inefficient storage requirements.