gzip is a widely used file compression utility from the GNU Project. It employs the Deflate algorithm to reduce file sizes while preserving the original data, and produces files in the familiar .gz format.
The program is a standard component of many Linux systems. It is commonly used for compressing individual files, transferring data through shell pipelines and working with tar archives. Its simple interface also makes it suitable for automated scripts and backup procedures.
gzip normally replaces input files with compressed versions, although options are available to preserve the originals. Its command-line interface provides controls for compression level, file metadata, integrity checking and compatibility with established Unix workflows.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Lossless compression using the Deflate algorithm.
- Produces standard .gz compressed files.
- Provides gunzip for decompression and zcat for streaming decompressed output.
- Supports adjustable compression levels to balance speed and compression ratio.
- Compresses and decompresses data through standard input and output.
- Processes files recursively within directory trees.
- Offers a test mode for checking compressed file integrity.
- Lists compressed sizes, original sizes and compression ratios.
- Supports concatenated gzip streams.
- Can retain original files after compression or decompression.
- Preserves or discards original filenames and timestamps according to user preferences.
- Supports configurable output file suffixes.
- Includes an rsync-friendly compression mode for improving incremental transfers.
- Offers synchronous output for reducing data-loss risks during certain system failures.
- Can decompress several older compression formats for compatibility.
Website: www.gzip.org
Support:
Developer: GNU Project
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
gzip is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Compression Tools | |
|---|---|
| LZ4 | Focused on compression and decompression speed |
| Zstandard | Fast compression algorithm, providing high compression ratios |
| brotli | Generic-purpose lossless compression algorithm |
| lzop | File compressor favoring speed over compression ratio |
| pigz | Parallel implementation of gzip |
| ouch | CLI tool for compressing and decompressing for various formats |
| pixz | Parallel, indexed xz compressor |
| gzip | Provides the standard GNU file compression utilities |
| BZip3 | Spiritual successor to BZip2 |
| bzip2 | Freely available, patent free, high-quality data compressor |
| PBZIP2 | Parallel implementation of bzip2 |
| lrzip | Achieve very high compression ratios and speed when used with large files |
| lbzip2 | Multi-threaded implementation of bzip2, suited for serial and parallel processing |
| ZXC | High-performance lossless compression library and command-line tool |
| plzip | Massively parallel lossless data compressor |
| p7zip-zstd | p7zip fork with additional codecs and improvements |
| 7-Zip | File archiver with a high compression ratio |
| ncompress | Fast, simple LZW file compressor |
| PXZ | Runs LZMA compression on multiple cores and processors |
| crabz | Like pigz but written in Rust |
| Lzip | Lossless data compressor aimed at Unix-like systems |
| cmix | Optimize compression ratio at the cost of high CPU/memory usage |
| bsc | High-performance block-sorting compressor for large files |
| rapidgzip | Parallelized decompression of gzip files |
| Kanzi | Modular lossless compressor with multithreaded processing |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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