What does the <canvas> tag allow you to do?

The tag is a powerful HTML element that serves as a space on a web page where you can draw graphics using JavaScript. It is specifically designed for dynamic, scriptable rendering of 2D graphics. This includes creating shapes, images, and animations on the fly, giving developers the flexibility to create visual content that can change in response to user interactions or data.

Rendering 2D shapes involves using methods such as fillRect(), strokeRect(), and many others to create different graphical elements directly onto the canvas. Bitmap images can also be manipulated, allowing for operations such as drawing images or applying effects. The ability to update the graphics in real time is what makes the tag particularly ideal for applications like games, visualizations, and interactive graphics.

While the tag is capable of rendering 2D graphics, it does not directly handle 3D graphics—that capability typically requires additional libraries such as WebGL. Similarly, it is not used for displaying images as standalone components or embedding videos directly into the HTML structure. Thus, the capacity to render 2D shapes and dynamically manipulate bitmap images makes this option the correct choice when considering what the tag allows you to do.