vector vs bitmap;

Vector graphics/images use geometrical objects such as points, lines, shapes, and/or polygons. They are based on mathematical formulae to represent images in computer graphics. store these objects (geometrical primitives) as a mathematical formulae. The formulae allow you to construct the image to the best quality possible, according to your screen resolution. It uses the formulae to decide how best to display/scale the image.

The computer screen is made up of grids of individual pixels. Bitmap images have a definite pixel size, so as you scale it, it will affect the overall quality of the image. If you enlarge it, these pixels become magnified and will appear 'grainy'. Vector graphics, on the other hand, decides where to place the dots for the best results, when displaying the image. You can scale them to any size and still maintain the details and a high quality.

The following is a comparison between two similar images, the left being vector and the right being bitmap:

animated gif;

An animated GIF is basically a GIF file that is animated. It is composed of several frames/layers of different images stacked on top of each other. These images, when compressed, can create a series of movement (animation). GIF supports up to 8 bpp, which is 256 distinct colours. The file size of a GIF file varies according to the number of bits used in that image (dimensions of the image).

This file type is saved under the file extension name: .gif

The following are examples of animated GIFs:

shockwave;

Shockwave files, or SWF is a file format used for multimedia and vector graphics in Adobe Flash and can be used online, in games, and even programs. It is the main/standard format for displaying animated vector graphics. The file size of a SWF file varies according to the number of bits used in the file.
This file type is saved under the file extension name: .swf

mpeg;

Moving Picture Experts Group;

MPEG is any of a group of file formats that compresses video and audio data. Evidently, these file formats are used for videos or audios. MPEG provides a standard image of 352x240 dots per inch, 30 frames per second, 15-bit color. The file size of MPEG file formats vary according to number of bits in that file (duration of the video/audio).
MPEG groups of standard include: MPEG-1 - 7, etc.

jpeg;

Joint Photographic Experts Group;

JPEG is the standard file format for image compression. It is an image format that reduces the size of the original file. By saving in this format, the image gains a lossy compression - in which you lose the sharpness of the original image (blurrier). JPEG supports up to 24 bpp, which is 16 777 216 distinct colours. The file size of a JPEG file varies according to the number of bits used in that image (dimensions of the image).
This file type is saved under the file extension name: .jpg, .jpeg, .jfif

The following is an example of a JPEG file:

gif;

Graphics Interchange Format;

Like all bitmap image formats, GIF reduces the file size of an image, so it is a common file extension used for saving images. By compressing the image (reducing file size), it reduces the image quality to a point that it is still of an acceptable quality. It is a common file type for animations. GIF supports up to 8 bpp, which is 256 distinct colours. The file size of a GIF file varies according to the number of bits used in that image (dimensions of the image).
This file type is saved under the file extension name: .gif

The following is an example of a GIF file: