Lossy Compression. To make files up to 80 percent smaller, lossy compression is used. Lossy compression software removes some redundant data from a file. Because data is removed, the quality of the decompressed file is less than the original.
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Types of Compression. Compressed files usually end with .zip, .sit and .tar. These are called extensions, and they indicate different compression formats--different types of software used to compress files. For PCs, .zip is most common, .sit is used often with Macs and .tar used with Linux.
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When information needs to be stored to the hard disk, the utility will compress the information. When information needs to be read, the utility will decompress the information. A disk compression utility overrides the standard operating system routines.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_compression
For the users who bought disk compression applications, the software proved to be in the short term a more economic means of acquiring more disk space as opposed to replacing their current drive with a larger one. A good disk compression utility could, on average, double the available space with negligible speed loss.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_compression
In addition, there are file compression formats, such as ARC and ZIP. Data compression is also widely used in backup utilities, spreadsheet applications, and database management systems. Certain types of data, such as bit-mapped graphics, can be compressed to a small fraction of their normal size.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/data_compression.html
Decompression. In order to use a compressed file, you must first decompress it. The software used to decompress depends on how the file was compressed in the first place. To decompress a .zip file you need software, such as WinZip. To decompress a .sit file, you need the Stuffit Expander program.
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Storing data in a format that requires less space than usual. Data compression is particularly useful in communications because it enables devices to transmit or store the same amount of data in fewer bits. There are a variety of data compression techniques, but only a few have been standardized. The CCITT has defined a standard data compression technique for transmitting faxes (Group 3 standard) and a compression standard for data communications through modems (CCITT V.42 bis).
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Most people have downloaded large files, such as music or video, from the Internet. Because of the large size of these files, downloading them can take hours. To solve this problem, and make better use of disk space, large files are compressed, using various software.
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Disk compression usually creates a single large file, which becomes a virtual hard drive. This is similar to how a single physical hard drive can be partitioned into multiple virtual drives. The compressed drive is accessed via a device driver.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_compression
Unlike a file compression utility which compresses only specified files-and which requires the user designate the files to be compressed-a on-the-fly disk compression utility works automatically without the user needing to be aware of its existence.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_compression
what is a file compression mean in computer software?
In computer software, a file compression utility which compresses only specified files and which requires the user designate the files to be compressed. A file compression in computer software is a file compression utility which compresses only specific files-and which requires the user designate the files to be compressed- on-the-fly disk compression utility and works automatically without the user needing to be aware of its existence.