COMPRESS(C) XENIX System V COMPRESS(C)
Name
compress - compress data for storage.
uncompress - uncompress a stored file.
zcat - display a stored file.
Syntax
compress [-dfFqc] [-b bits] file
uncompress [-fqc] file
zcat file
Description
compress takes a file and compresses it to the smallest
possible size, creates a compressed output file, and removes
the original file unless the -c option is present.
Compression is achieved by encoding common strings within
the file. uncompress restores a previously compressed file
to its uncompressed state and removes the compressed
version. zcat uncompresses and displays a file on the
standard output. When zcat is used to display a file, the
file is uncompressed and concatenated on the screen or
standard output, and the compressed version of the file is
not removed.
If no file is specified on the command line, input is taken
from the standard input and the output is directed to the
standard output. Output defaults to a file with the same
filename as the input file with the suffix ``.Z'' or it can
be directed through the standard output. The output files
have the same permissions and ownership as the corresponding
input files or the user's standard permissions if output is
directed through the standard output.
If no space is saved by compression, the output file is not
written unless the -F flag is present on the command line.
Options
The following options are available from the command line:
-d Decompresses a compressed file.
-c Writes output on the standard output and does not
remove original file.
-bbits Specifies the maximum number of bits to use in
encoding.
-f Overwrites previous output file.
-F Writes output file even if compression saves no
space.
-q Generates no output except error messages, if any.
Page 1 (printed 2/7/91)
COMPRESS(C) XENIX System V COMPRESS(C)
See Also
pack(C), pcat(C), ar(C), tar(C), cat(C)
Page 2 (printed 2/7/91)
