ZIP files are a special type of computer file that can group multiple files together while saving a ton of space for storage, data transfers, or sending files quickly and easily over the internet. Whether you're using a ZIP file in a work setting, on your home computer for personal file storage, or you've received one from a colleague or friend and you're unsure how to open it , knowing what this file type is and how to use it is an incredibly useful piece of knowledge to have handy.
Read on to learn what zipping a file does and how it works, and soon you'll be able to create, use, and extract files from a zipped folder with ease. So what exactly is a ZIP file? This file type functions much in the same way as a normal folder would on your computer, with some added features and benefits.
It will even appear to have a similar icon to a normal folder or file — on Windows, you can identify a ZIP icon by a folder with a large zipper across it, and on Mac OS, a file icon will appear with a large zipper running down it and the word "ZIP" on the icon. Best Gaming Monitors.
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Copy and Paste Between Android and Windows. Protect Windows 10 From Internet Explorer. Mozilla Fights Double Standard. Connect to a Hidden Wi-Fi Network. Change the Size of the Touch Keyboard. Check Bluetooth Device Battery Life. Some programs are particularly suited to picking up patterns in certain types of files, and so may compress them more succinctly. Others have dictionaries within dictionaries, which might compress efficiently for larger files but not for smaller ones.
While all compression programs of this sort work with the same basic idea, there is actually a good deal of variation in the manner of execution. Programmers are always trying to build a better system. The type of compression we've been discussing here is called lossless compression , because it lets you recreate the original file exactly.
All lossless compression is based on the idea of breaking a file into a "smaller" form for transmission or storage and then putting it back together on the other end so it can be used again. Lossy compression works very differently. These programs simply eliminate "unnecessary" bits of information, tailoring the file so that it is smaller.
This type of compression is used a lot for reducing the file size of bitmap pictures, which tend to be fairly bulky. To see how this works, let's consider how your computer might compress a scanned photograph.
A lossless compression program can't do much with this type of file. While large parts of the picture may look the same -- the whole sky is blue, for example -- most of the individual pixels are a little bit different.
To make this picture smaller without compromising the resolution, you have to change the color value for certain pixels. If the picture had a lot of blue sky, the program would pick one color of blue that could be used for every pixel. Then, the program rewrites the file so that the value for every sky pixel refers back to this information.
If the compression scheme works well, you won't notice the change, but the file size will be significantly reduced. Of course, with lossy compression, you can't get the original file back after it has been compressed. You're stuck with the compression program's reinterpretation of the original. For this reason, you can't use this sort of compression for anything that needs to be reproduced exactly, including software applications, databases and presidential inauguration speeches.
For more information on file compression and related topics, check out the links on the next page. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Computer Software. File Sharing. This maintains your privacy when sending files over the internet. Windows and Mac OS have a different method, but they both begin with a right click. And for recipients, it is simple to unzip files.
All it takes is a download and a click regardless of their computer's operating system. However, there are a range of potential issues associated with ZIP files. They include file size limits, file type limits, corruption, and mobility issues.
One of many disadvantages associated with ZIP archive files is compression limits. Some files cannot be compressed much more than they already are. So, if you frequently work with video and image files, the ZIP format won't help you save very much storage space.
You also need to think about the security aspect of zipped files. Completed zipped files are encrypted, but you don't know what happens to your file if you upload a third-party app. In some cases, corrupted data can affect the entire ZIP folder. ZIP files are also difficult to use if you are on the go. If you're using a phone or tablet, you would need to use a file saved on your phone and a third-party app.
This would create problems both with file storage space as well as security. Cloud storage is a better alternative to ZIP files.
With Dropbox, the cloud removes the need for compression altogether. Simply click "Share" to send a file or folder in its original size, no compression needed. You can store and share files up to 50gb.
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