DISCLAIMER: I am in no way an expert with archiving tools. What this page contains is my personal knowledge of the programs discussed here.
What are Archiving Tools?
Archiving Tools are compression/uncompression tools. What does this mean? When storing or transferring files, the bigger the files, the more storage space it takes up or the more time it takes to download it.
Compression is a way to squeeze the file down anywhere from 95% to 10% of its original size.
Then by using the same program you can uncompress to its original size to use it.
If given the choice between downloading 1,000 kilobytes or 100 kilobytes, and the outcomes would be the same,which would you prefer?
What types are there? ZIP, ARJ, RAR
Zip Compression
This is a DOS based program called PKZIP developed by PKWARE.
PKZIP will create a file that will look like this. Filename.zip
If you download any files with this filename extention, you can also use a program called PKUNZIP. The only thing PKUNZIP does is uncompresses the file. If you have no desire to archive files, but need to uncompress your Filename.zip then PKUNZIP is the only program you need.
If DOS based programs are not for you, don't worry WINZIP develped a Window 3.x/95 based program called WINZIP. It is all Windows driven. It is basically a shell to run the DOS based program PKZIP. In order to use the Windows program you must have the DOS program on your system.
To use WINZIP just get a copy of PKZIP (which is an executable file (eg. pkzip.exe)). Execute pkzip.exe, it will automatically uncompress the program. Next, get a copy of WINZIP. Run the installation software. WINZIP may ask you what directory PKZIP is in. Just type in the directory where your copy of the expand PKZIP is. It is that simple. Now you don't have to worry about DOS based PKZIP commands, WINZIP does everything for you automatically. Just point and click.
ARJ Compression
This is another DOS based program. ARJ works like PKZIP, the command are similar with a few variations.
One of the reasons you would want to use ARJ is that, it usually gives you better compression ratios.
ARJ will create a file that will look like this. Filename.arj
If you download any files with this filename extention, you can also use a program called UNARJ. The only thing UNARJ does is uncompresses the file. If you have no desire to archive files, but need to uncompress your Filename.arj then UNARJ is the only program you need.
I do not know of any Windows based shells that run ARJ. If you know of any, please email me and I will correct this section. Thanks
RAR Compression
This is another DOS based program. RAR works like PKZIP and ARJ.
RAR will give you best compression ratio or the three, typically.
RAR will create a file that will look like this. Filename.rar
If you download any files with this filename extention, you can also use a program called UNRAR. The only thing UNRAR does is uncompresses the file. If you have no desire to archive files, but need to uncompress your Filename.rar then UNRAR is the only program you need.
There is a Windows based program called WINRAR. It works simillar to WINZIP. (See Zip Compression Section) It doesn't have all the bells and whistles that WINZIP has, but you don't need knowledge of the DOS based commands to use the program.
Where can I get Archiving Tools?
Click the filename to go to the company's home page or download the file from a FTP site.
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Revised: 15 November 1999.
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