Compression - GCSE Computer Science Definition

Compression is a technique used in computing to reduce the size of data files, making them easier to store and transmit. This is done by eliminating redundancies and unnecessary information, allowing for quicker download and upload times and saving storage space. There are two main types of compression: lossless, which compresses data without losing any original information, and lossy, which reduces file size by discarding less important information that is not noticeable to the user. In GCSE Computer Science, understanding compression is essential as it underpins many technologies like file storage, video streaming, and online communication, where managing data efficiently is crucial.