Data Compression Techniques

Data compression techniques reduce the size of digital information to save storage space or speed up transmission. Lossless compression algorithms, like ZIP or PNG, remove redundancies so the original data can be perfectly reconstructed. Lossy compression, used in JPEG images and MP3 audio, eliminates some details to achieve higher compression ratios, sacrificing some quality for smaller size. These techniques analyze patterns within the data and encode repetitive or predictable elements more efficiently. Overall, data compression balances between preserving quality and reducing size, making data easier to store and faster to transfer without unnecessary resource use.