AIM :- how to compress / extract a files or folder
Packing, or compressing, files means that one or more files (or folders) are made into one compact package. When you compress your files, the original files will remain in the original location, so you can safely pack them without worrying about losing them. Unpacking means that the compressed files a re “decompressed” to their original size.
WHY COMPRESS
FILES?
Compressing is mainly used for the following purposes:
1. A compressed file takes up less storage space. A smaller file can be
transferred faster between locations e.g. on the Internet.
2. Several files and folders are combined into one package that is easy to
manage; it is usually easier to handle one file than a set of, say,
10,000 files.
How much use
is compression to you? The following image shows a real-life example with the
uncompressed (docx) file and compressed (zip) file of a student’s pro-seminar
project. Note the considerable difference in file size!
COMMON COMPRESSION AND EXTRACTION METHODS
One of the most commonly used compression methods is ZIP compression. Most operating systems have a pre-installed program for ZIP compression or “zipping”. If you have an older operating system, you may have to install a separate ZIP program.
Popular compression methods include:
| Compression method | Operating-system support for this compression method |
| zip | Both Windows and Linux as well as Mac OS can handle zip files, usually without having to install a separate zip program. |
| rar | Usually requires installing a separate compression/extraction program (e.g. WinRAR). |
| gz | Gz packages are common in Linux and unix, which usually have their own default applications for handling them, such as gzip. For Windows and Mac OS, there are separate programs with which you can open gz files. |
| 7z | The file extension of the 7-Zip packing application. |
Note that many programs for compression and extraction know how to handle different compression types. When you have installed a compression program, you can pack and unpack files or packages consisting of several files. All compression/extraction programs usually work alike. When you know how to use one program, you probably know how to use them all.
COMPRESSING FILES AS ZIP PACKAGES
Windows 7 has a pre-installed program for compressing and extracting files. To compress files with it, follow these steps:
- go to the folder which contains the file or subfolder you want to compress. Note that the file you are about to compress must not be open in any program.
- Right-click the file or folder. Select Send to, and then in the next submenu, select Compressed (zipped) folder. Here is the pop-up menu:
The compression program will pack the selected file or subfolder into the same folder where the original file is located.
EXTRACTING A ZIP PACKAGE
When you extract a zip package, the extracted file is usually stored in a separate folder. After extraction, you can delete the zip file if you wish. Zipping programs do not usually delete the original package after extraction.
When you wish to extract a zip file, save it to a folder. Then, right-click the package and select Extract All. Next, select the folder where you want to extract the package. The program will suggest a folder to you. If you want to extract to that folder, click Extract. If you want to change the folder, click Browse and then select the folder you want. Then proceed by clicking Extract.
The extraction program will extract the file into the directory you have selected.
