What is a sprite?

[Chris2Balls [:B]]

In order to bring the sprites together you need to use a n advanced pic editing program like Photoshop or PaintTool SAI not Paint!
Ripping the sprites is the somehow important you know...
Rip means extracting files from a game by using tool (s)

You don't need to use an advanced program to make sprites. That isn't part of what defines a sprite, but more somebody's preferences in their work routine. There are "sprite programs" that exist, but it's kind of fallacious; I'd say they're geared more towards pixel art, which can also be sprites. It really depends on the nature of your sprites.

Ripping sprites is only important if you want to have the visual assets from a game.