A Discussion on SVG and Canvas: Understanding Their Concepts and Differences

In front-end development, we sometimes need to handle graphics and animations. For this purpose, HTML5 provides two main technologies: SVG and Canvas. This article will introduce their concepts, differences, and help you understand their distinctions through code examples.

What is SVG?

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is an XML-based vector graphic format. It is used to define vector graphics and is scalable, meaning it does not lose quality when zoomed in or out. SVG images are composed of basic shapes like paths, lines, and text, which can be manipulated using DOM operations.

SVG Example

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<svg width="100" height="100">
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  <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="40" stroke="black" stroke-width="3" fill="red" />
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</svg>

The code above draws a red circle with a black border. The center of the circle is at coordinates (50, 50) with a radius of 40.

What is Canvas?

Canvas is an HTML5 element introduced for drawing graphics. It is a pixel-based drawing surface that can be used for graphic drawing operations through JavaScript. Unlike SVG, Canvas is more suitable for handling extensive pixel operations, such as image rendering in games.

Canvas Example

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<canvas id="myCanvas" width="100" height="100"></canvas>
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<script>
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  var canvas = document.getElementById("myCanvas");
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  var ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");
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  ctx.beginPath();
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  ctx.arc(50, 50, 40, 0, 2 * Math.PI);
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  ctx.fillStyle = "red";
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  ctx.fill();
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  ctx.lineWidth = 3;
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  ctx.strokeStyle = "black";
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  ctx.stroke();
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</script>

In this example, we use Canvas to draw a red-filled circle with a black border.

Differences Between SVG and Canvas

While both SVG and Canvas can be used to draw graphics, they have significant differences. Here are the main distinctions:

Conclusion

SVG and Canvas each have their advantages, and the choice of technology depends on the specific use case. If you need high-quality vector graphics with interactivity, SVG is the better choice; whereas, if you need to handle large pixel images or create complex animations, Canvas is more suitable.

I hope this article helps you better understand the differences between SVG and Canvas.