1.5.11

Data Compression Software

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Data Compression Software

Data compression software allows users to store more data onto a certain disk.

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Compression

  • Compression utilities reduce the amount of disk space needed to store a file by applying a lossless compression algorithm.
  • Lossless compression means that no quality is lost from the original file, and it can be restored to the original.
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Decompression

  • Compression utilities can also decompress the compressed files to return them to their original versions.
  • Files must be decompressed in order to read them.
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Uses of compression

  • Although we cannot read compressed files without decompressing them first, they are useful in many situations. For example:
    • When a file won't be accessed regularly e.g. in archives.
    • When a file is to be transferred on a network (to speed up transfer).

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1Computer Systems

1.1Systems Architecture

1.2Memory & Storage

1.3Computer Networks, Connections & Protocols

1.4Network Security

1.5Systems Software

1.6Ethical, Legal, Cultural & Environmental Concern

2Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming

2.1Algorithms

2.2Programming Fundamentals

2.3Producing Robust Programs

2.4Boolean Logic

2.5Programming Languages & IDEs

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