data compression

Definition: Technique for storing digital data so that it needs less transmission capacity (bandwidth) or takes up less memory or storage space than basic storage methods would. * All data compression methods seek to re-code the information in ways that reduce the size of the file. There is no physical change in the size of the storage medium holding the data. * Also known as data compaction or file compression.

Related Terms: GIF, JPEG, LZW

Previous Term: DAT  Next Term: D-line