Flash is a vector graphic development program used to create animations that are complex and interactive. Introduced in 1996, it has become the most popular method to incorporate animation and interactivity to web pages. This program is commonly used to produce animation, advertisements, web page components, streaming video integration, rich Internet applications, and the most innovative, designing partial contents to full web page, even complete websites, solely on it.

Thousands of websites now offer Flash, either as web page components, application base, or even the whole website. This innovative program lets you create and integrate almost anything, from simple eye-candy such as banners, advertising, animated designs, video, etc., to much more complicated ones such as full-blown applications, tools and gadgets, even the main functions and contents of the website.

What is so good about Flash? For starters, many websites that utilizes Flash are much more interesting that those who don't. Imagine the many possibilities that it offers. Changing simple pictures to eye-catching slide shows and animations, adding full-length streaming video, incorporating animated designs that are very hard to create using other methods are just few of the benefits. Not only that, advanced Flash animators (people who create Flash-based content) can make fully-functional applications, from simple tools and widgets to highly-advanced Flash games and programs.

Flash is a very innovative and creative way in designing websites and web content, as is expands the boundaries of web design and programming in ways unimaginable in the years before it was developed. You create wonderful things with Flash, as long as you use your imagination and creativity, and also some programming skills will help.

Flash and web design has gone a long way, from the simple animations from the early days, to the complicated interactive applications and objects that most websites carry now. Even functions that can be programmed using HTML, CSS or others are now taken up by Flash. Multiple drop-down navigation menus, animated links, even the simple text marquees and other types of animated text are taken over by Flash.

The Internet is a big part of the lives of billions of people today. And Flash is a big of the Internet. In my opinion, the Internet will be different if not for it. Imagine an Internet, and all of its websites, without any Flash-based designs and contents.