Compress
Name compress - compress data for storage. uncompress - uncompress a stored file. zcat - display a stored file. Syntax compress [-dfFqc] [-b bits] file uncompress [-fqc] file zcat file Description compress takes a file and compresses it to the smallest possible size, creates a compressed output file, and removes the original file unless the -c option is present. Compression is achieved by encoding common strings within the file. uncompress restores a previously compressed file to its uncompressed state and removes the compressed version. zcat uncompresses and displays a file on the standard output. When zcat is used to display a file, the file is uncompressed and concatenated on the screen or standard output, and the compressed version of the file is not removed. If no file is specified on the command line, input is taken from the standard input and the output is directed to the standard output. Output defaults to a file with the same filename as the input file with the suffix ``.Z'' or it can be directed through the standard output. The output files have the same permissions and ownership as the corresponding input files or the user's standard permissions if output is directed through the standard output. If no space is saved by compression, the output file is not written unless the -F flag is present on the command line. Options The following options are available from the command line: -d Decompresses a compressed file. -c Writes output on the standard output and do not remove original file. -bbits Specifies the maximum number of bits to use in encoding. -f Overwrites previous output file. -F Writes output file even if compression saves no space. -q Generates no output except error messages, if any.
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