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What is compression?
Image compression is the process of reducing the file size of an image while attempting to retain its visual quality. It involves employing techniques to eliminate redundant or less noticeable information within the image data, resulting in a more compact representation.
There are two primary approaches: lossless compression, which reduces file size without compromising image quality, and lossy compression, which achieves higher compression ratios by selectively discarding less critical image details.
Why compress?
Images are often compressed to reduce their file size. There are several reasons why compressing images is beneficial:
- Efficient storage: Compressed images take up less space on storage devices such as hard drives, memory cards, or cloud servers. This allows more images to be stored within limited storage capacity.
- Faster transmission: Smaller image files can be transferred more quickly over the internet. This is particularly important when sharing images through email, messaging apps, or uploading them to websites. Compression reduces the time it takes to upload or download images, improving efficiency.
- Bandwidth optimization: Compressed images consume less bandwidth when being transmitted. This is crucial for websites and applications with high traffic, as it helps to reduce data usage and improve loading times. Users can access and view images faster, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Compatibility: Compressed images are more compatible with a wide range of devices and software applications. They can be easily displayed on different platforms, including computers, mobile devices, and web browsers.
- Practicality: Compressed images are easier to manage and handle. They require less computational resources to process, making them more practical for tasks such as editing, sharing, and archiving.