File-Compression Programs

Large files are often compressed to save storage and decrease the time needed to transfer them over the network. Depending on the file and the compression technique, a compressed text file may be compressed to 40% of the memory when compared with the original file.

A compressed file is typically identified by a file name suffix that indicates the program that was used to compress the file.

The table below lists the more common compression/decompression programs, and their file name suffixes.

Compress        Decomp                Suffix            Sample File Name

compress    uncompress    .Z            textfile.Z

cpio            cpio                .cpio        textfile.cpio

gzip            gunzip            .gz            textfile.gz

pack          unpack            .z            textfile.z

Stuffit        unsit                .Sit            textfile.Sit

Packit        unpit            .pit                textfile.pit

PKZIP    PKUNZIP    .ZIP                textfile.ZIP

tar            tar                .tar                   textfile.tar