NOVELTY - Gas barrier coating based on silicon nitride comprising nitrogen(N)/silicon (Si) compositional ratio of 1-1.4 and hydrogen (H) content of 10-30 atomic percent, is claimed, where a peak of an absorption caused by (Si-H) stretching vibration occurs at a wave number of 2170-2200/cm in a Fourier transform infrared absorption spectrum of the coating, with a ratio (I1(Si-H)/I1(Si-N)) between a peak intensity I1(Si-H) of the absorption caused by Si-H stretching vibration and a peak intensity I1(Si-N) of an absorption caused by Si-N stretching vibration in the vicinity of 840/cm is 0.03-0.15.    USE - The gas barrier coating is useful: in gas barrier film (claimed); in the manufacture of displays or lighting fixtures utilizing organic electroluminescence or liquid crystal; and the manufacture of solar cells.    ADVANTAGE - The gas barrier coating is highly resistant to oxidation (environmental resistance), and exhibits a high transparency and flexibility, as well as a good gas barrier property.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (1) a gas barrier film comprising a resin film with a glass transition temperature of less than or equal to 130 degrees C, and the gas barrier coating deposited on the resin film; and    (2) a gas barrier film comprising a substrate film and the gas barrier coating deposited on the substrate film, where the gas barrier film has a gas barrier property permitting a gas permeation of at most 1x 10-5 g/m2.day, and a visible light transmittance of not less than 85%, and where the gas barrier property and the visible light transmittance are maintained even after being left in an environment at 60 degrees C and a relative humidity of 90% for 1000 hours, and even after being wound into a roll 10 mm in diameter, and also when unwound 1000 times, or the gas barrier film has a gas barrier property permitting a gas permeation of at most 3x 10-3 g/m2.day, and a visible light transmittance of not less than 85%, and where the gas barrier property and the visible light transmittance are maintained even after being left in an environment at 85 degrees C and a relative humidity of 90% for 1000 hours, and even after being wound into a roll 10 mm in diameter, and also when unwound 1000 times.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic of a gas barrier film using the gas barrier coating.    Organic layer (12a, 12b)    Inorganic layer (14a, 14b)