A Review of Data Compression Algorithms.

This memorandum describes various methods for compressing digital computer data files. The objective of the methods described is to reduce the physical space required to store data while maintaining a complete representation of the information. There are several potential benefits associated with compression. It provides more efficient use of storage devices, it improves data transfer rates through shorter message packets and it permits faster data base access through greater data density per IO storage block. The document first discusses logical compression techniques and identifies some data base methods which minimize storage. Next, the document describes methods which achieve compression through various encoding schemes. The concepts for the development and operation of these methods are discussed, and guidance is provided for their appropriate application. Performance characteristics are delineated when operational statistics are known. Author