device independent bitmap
DDB
DIB

    (DIB) An image format in which the
   sequence and depth of pixels in the file is not specifically
   related to their layout in any particular device.  This allows
   any device dependent bitmap (DDB) image to be converted to or
   DIB format without loss of information, and this can then
   later be converted to other DDB formats for, e.g., printing or
   display.  Rather than requiring converters from each DDB
   format to all other formats, only converters to and from DIB
   are needed.

   DIB images are normally transferred in metafiles, bmp
   files, and the clipboard.

   Transferring colour bitmaps from one device to another was not
   possible in versions of Microsoft Windows earlier than 3.0.
   Application programs can build DIB images without any
   interaction with Windows.  If Windows lacks a drawing
   primitive, the application can simulate it directly into the
   DIB instead of using the existing graphics device interface
   (GDI) primitives.  Unfortunately, under Windows versions 3.0
   and 3.1, GDI cannot perform output operations directly to a
   DIB.

   Conversion between DIB and DDB is performed by the device
   driver.  Where the driver does not have this facility, the
   conversion is performed by GDI but only in monochrome.  DIBs
   are slower to use than device dependent bitmaps due to the
   conversions required.

   (1996-09-20)