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Can someone explain to me the point of compressing files?

I thought it would decrease the size of the file, but it it doesn't at all, and it sometimes actually increases the file size! I am trying to send out a file over the internet that is rather large, and I though compression was the solution, but apparently, it is not.

9 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    If you try do decrease files like .avi, .jpg you need to know that these are already compressed. So compressing them more will actually increase the size because there's nothing to compress and you add some data of a new file and compression information. Try to use WinRar (or other: WinZip, TugZip, IZArc, etc) to divide files to smaller parts and send these.

  • 1 decade ago

    Files that are already compressed, like MP3s and video, sometimes end up larger after going through a compression program (e.g. creating a Zip archive). If you see that happen, you know the original was compressed already.

    What happens is that the compression program re-creates the original, plus the compression table and other "overhead" so the overall file size ends up larger.

    Source(s): 20 years in tech
  • 1 decade ago

    actually copressing files works most on large files where u'd be able to see the vast change in size.

    Also when your compressing lots of files together.

    I can't see how it could actually get BIGGER, are u sure that happened or are u readding them rite.

    try opting for best compression. for bestresult.

  • 1 decade ago

    If you're compressing a file and it's making it larger, then you're doing something wrong.

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  • 1 decade ago

    use winrar to send files over internet.

    it will decrease the size of the file.

    but make sure the person you are sending also has programs that would allow him/her to open .rar files.

    Source(s): www.winrar.com
  • 1 decade ago

    You should use a winarar in order to zip the file, thats the best software to use.

  • 5 years ago

    That's wrong

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Some great answers already for this question

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    That is interesting

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