Final answer:
A bitmap image is a graphic made up of pixels, which are the smallest elements of the picture holding specific colors. Bitmap images are created by assigning colors to each pixel within a defined resolution grid. They differ from vector graphics and include common formats like BMP, JPEG, GIF, and PNG.
Step-by-step explanation:
A bitmap image is a type of graphic represented by a grid of pixels, which are the smallest addressable elements of a picture, each holding a specific color. To construct a bitmap image, one must define the image's resolution, which specifies the number of pixels on the horizontal and vertical axes. Then, each pixel in this grid is assigned a color (usually defined by a color code such as RGB), effectively 'painting' the image. The resolution and color depth (how many bits are used to represent color) will determine the size and quality of the image.
Bitmap images are famously used for digital photography, web graphics, and other applications where detailed images are necessary. They differ from vector graphics, another image type where images are defined by mathematical equations rather than a grid of colored pixels. Common bitmap file formats include BMP, JPEG, GIF, and PNG, each with its own qualities regarding compression and suitability for certain types of images.