What are Zip files? How do Zip files work?

File compression is an important part of the digital workspace. ZIP files use compression to send more data at faster speeds than ever before. This is why ZIP files are a popular tool for businesses around the world. But what exactly is a ZIP file? Let's find out with Tipsmake through the following article!

What is a ZIP file?

ZIP is a popular file format used to compress one or more files together into a single location. This reduces file size and makes it easier to transport or store. The recipient can decompress (or extract) the ZIP file after receiving and using the file in its original format.

ZIP files work the same way as a standard folder on a computer. They contain data and files in the same place, but the content will be compressed, which reduces the amount of data used by the computer. Another way to describe ZIP files is as an archive. The archive contains all the compressed files in the same location. So the ZIP file format is an option to use if you need to create a smaller file or group of files.

So how can you identify a ZIP archive? Very simple. Whenever you see a .ZIP or .zip extension at the end of a file name, it means you are viewing a ZIP file. The icon representing the file will also change. Let's say you have a photo named holiday.jpg. After you compress this image, it will now be named holiday.zip and have a new icon.

What are Zip files? How do Zip files work? Picture 1

Is ZIP different from 7-ZIP or RAR?

When researching ZIP files, you may come across the term '7z file' or '7-ZIP'. This is an archive format that uses a higher compression ratio with fewer megabytes. Although the smaller capacity is an advantage, it will also take longer to process. This file format is also less convenient in that you need to download and install a software application to use it. The same is true for RAR and TAR files, as well as third-party software applications WinRAR, ZIPx and PeaZip.

How do ZIP files work?

ZIP files encode information into fewer bits by removing redundant data. This lossless compression ensures all original data is intact. Let's see a quick example to explain how this compression works.

Imagine a file containing the following sentences:

The best sharing and storage solution for your business
Your business solution for the best sharing and storage

Each word in this file appears twice. Now, if each letter and space in the sentence is equivalent to one memory unit, the entire file size would be 110 units. But you can create a numbered code to represent the data in a different way:

The best sharing and storage solution for your business
123456789

In other words, both sentences will now be: 123456789896712345. This means that the original file size from 110 units is reduced to 18 units. The ZIP file format uses lossless compression algorithms to do exactly that. It allows you to represent the same information in a more efficient way by removing redundant data from the file. This also means that sending ZIP files will be faster.

What are the alternatives to ZIP files?

Cloud storage is a better alternative to ZIP files. With Dropbox, the cloud eliminates the need for compression entirely. There's no lengthy, multi-step process you need to go through to archive or send large files. Just click "Share" to send the file or folder at its original size, no compression required. You can store and share files up to 50GB in size.

Dropbox is a fast, reliable way to share files without using email or consuming disk space on your computer. And if you still need to work with compressed files, Dropbox can do that too! Dropbox provides support for ZIP and RAR preview, post-upload compression, and editing.

Marvin Fry

Update 11 August 2021

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