Run-Length Encoding

Run-Length Encoding (RLE) is a simple data compression method that reduces file size by replacing sequences of repeated elements with a single value and a count. For example, instead of storing "AAAABBBCCDAA," RLE encodes it as "4A3B2C1D2A." This method is particularly effective for data with many repeated elements, such as simple graphics or certain text patterns. While RLE can significantly decrease storage space, its efficiency decreases with more complex data that has fewer runs of identical items. RLE is widely used in image formats like BMP and TIFF for efficient storage.