Image Compression

DEFINITION
Compression algorithms reduce redundancy in files, including images, in order to make them smaller. Algorithms are classified according to whether they irreversibly change the contents (lossy algorithms) or reversibly do so (lossless). Decompression returns the file to something like the original.

USAGE
When used to compress general-purpose documents, lossless algorithms such as ZIP and TAR are used. For sound and image files, the goal is for a reconstituted file that closely resembles the original, but takes up much less space in the mean time. These algorithms, such as MP3 and JPG, achieve high compression levels, but with some data loss.

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