The process of compressing information in order to reduce its volume

Nowadays, many users are thinking about how the process of data compression is implemented in order to save free space on the hard drive, because this is one of the most effective means of using the usable space in any drive. Quite often, modern users who are faced with a lack of free space on the drive, have to delete any data, trying to free the space in this way, while more advanced users often use data compression to reduce its size.

However, many do not even know what the process of information compression is called, not to mention which algorithms are used and what each of them uses.

Is it worth compressing data?

Data compression is quite important for today and is necessary for any user. Of course, in our time, almost everyone can purchase advanced data storage devices that provide for the possibility of using a sufficiently large amount of free space, as well as equipped with high-speed information broadcasting channels.

However, in doing so, it is necessary to understand correctly that over time, the amount of data that must be transmitted also increases. And if literally ten years ago the standard for a regular film was considered to be 700 MB, nowadays films made in HD quality can have volumes equal to several tens of gigabytes, not to mention how much free space is occupied by high-quality pictures In Blu-ray format.

When is data compression necessary?

Of course, do not expect that the process of information compression will bring you much benefit, but there is a certain number of situations in which some methods of information compression are extremely useful and even necessary:

• Transfer of certain documents via e-mail. In particular, this applies to situations where it is necessary to transfer information in large volumes using various mobile devices.
• Often, the process of compressing information in order to reduce the space occupied by it is used when publishing certain data on various sites when it is required to save traffic;
• Saving free space on the hard disk in the case when there is no possibility to replace or add new means of data storage. In particular, the most common situation is when there are certain limitations in the available budget, but there is not enough free disk space.

Of course, in addition to the above, there is still a huge number of different situations in which the process of compressing information may be required to reduce its volume, but these are by far the most common.

How can I compress the data?

Today, there are a variety of methods of information compression, but they are all divided into two main groups - compression with certain losses, and lossless compression.

The use of the latter group of methods is relevant when the data must be recovered with the utmost precision, up to one bit. This approach is the only relevant if you compress a specific text document.

It should be noted that in some situations there is no need for the most accurate recovery of compressed data, so it is possible to use such algorithms, in which compression of information on the disk is carried out with certain losses. The advantage of lossy compression is that such a technology is much easier to implement, and also provides the highest possible degree of archiving.

Lossy compression

The algorithms of compression of information with losses provide for an order of magnitude better compression, while maintaining sufficient quality of information. In most cases, such algorithms are used to compress analog data, such as all kinds of images or sounds. In such situations, the extracted files may differ significantly from the original information, but for the human eye or ear they are practically indistinguishable.

Lossless compression

Lossless information compression algorithms provide the most accurate data recovery, eliminating any loss of compressible files. However, you need to understand correctly the fact that in this case, not so effective compression of files.

Universal methods

Among other things, there is a certain number of universal methods by which an effective process of information compression is carried out in order to reduce the space occupied by it. In general, there are only three main technologies:

• Conversion of the stream. In this case, the description of the new incoming uncompressed information is carried out through already processed files, without calculating any probabilities, and character encoding based solely on files that have already been processed.
• Statistical compression. This process of compressing information in order to reduce the space occupied by it on the disk is divided into two subcategories - adaptive and block methods. The adaptive option involves calculating the probabilities for new files from information that has already been processed in the encoding process. In particular, various adaptive variants of the Shannon-Fano and Huffman algorithms should also be referred to such methods. The block algorithm provides for separate calculation of each block of information with subsequent addition to the most compressed block.
• Convert a block. The incoming information is divided into several blocks, and then a complete transformation takes place. However, it should be said that certain methods, especially those based on the interchange of several blocks, can ultimately lead to a significant reduction in the amount of compressed information. However, one must correctly understand that after such processing , the data structure is finally improved significantly , so that the subsequent compression through other algorithms is much easier and faster.

Compression when copying

One of the most important backup components is the device to which the information needed by the user will be moved. The more data you move, the more voluminous the device you will need to use. However, if you perform the process of data compression, then the problem of lack of free space is unlikely to remain relevant for you.

Why is this necessary?

The ability to compress information while backing up allows you to significantly reduce the time it will take to copy the files you need, and at the same time to achieve effective saving of free space on the drive. In other words, if you use compression, the information will be copied much more compactly and quickly, and you will be able to save your money and finances, which were necessary to buy a larger volume drive. In addition, by compressing information, you also reduce the time that will be required when transporting all data to the server or copying them across the network.

Data compression for backup can be done in one or several files - in this case everything will depend on which program you use and what information you are compressing.

When choosing a utility, be sure to look at how much the program you choose can compress data. This depends on the type of information, as a result of which the efficiency of the compression of text documents can be more than 90%, while the compression of pictures will not be effective by more than 5%.