A small picture intended to represent something (a file, directory, or action) in a graphical user interface. When an icon is clicked on, some action is performed such as opening a directory or aborting a file transfer.Icons are usually stored as bitmap images.{Microsoft Windows} uses a special bitmap format with file name extension ".ico" as well as embedding icons in executable (".exe") and Dynamically Linked Library (DLL) files.The term originates from Alan Kay' s theory for designing interfaces which was primarily based on the work of Jerome Bruner.Bruner' s second developmental stage, iconic, uses a system of representation that depends on visual or other sensory organization and upon the use of summarising images.{IEEE publication (http://www.ieee.org/organizations/history_center/cht_papers/Barnes.pdf)}.[What MS tool can create .ico files?](2003-08-01)