Universal coding

Universal coding is a method of data compression that efficiently encodes data from any source without knowing its exact statistics beforehand. It adapts to the data's characteristics as it is processed, ensuring that the compression is nearly optimal for a wide range of sources. Think of it as a flexible shorthand system that learns and adjusts as it encounters new data, minimizing the total number of bits needed to represent information, regardless of its specific pattern or distribution. This approach balances flexibility and efficiency, making it useful for compressing diverse types of data.