S> 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 aSbitmap 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' SSecond 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)