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data compression

data compression

A Dictionary of Computing | 2004 | | Copyright

data compression
1. Another name for data compaction, although, strictly, data compaction is lossless while data compression need not be (see def. 2).

2. Removal from a file or data stream of information that may be redundant either in the sense of information theory, or in the sense that the retention of precision, definition, or some similar measure of quality is less important than the necessity to abbreviate the data. In the former sense, the abbreviation is lossless, while in the latter sense it is lossy. Compression permits either or both kinds, and so its effects are not always exactly reversible.

Generally, in the context of discrete and continuous systems, the output from continuous systems, if it is to be abbreviated, can often be lossily compressed. This is notably the case with sound, and with halftone and colored images. See also image compression.
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data compression

A Dictionary of the Internet | 2001 | | Copyright

data compression The process of reducing the size of a collection of data. There are three reasons for carrying out this activity: to save FILE space, to reduce the time taken for data to travel over a network connection, and to save space when backing up a file. There are a number of data compression algorithms in existence. They are categorized as either a LOSSY COMPRESSION SCHEME which results in some loss of the data or a LOSSLESS COMPRESSION SCHEME which results in no loss.
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DARREL INCE. "data compression." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DARREL INCE. "data compression." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-datacompression.html

DARREL INCE. "data compression." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-datacompression.html

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