compress(1)                      UNIX System V                      compress(1)


NAME
      compress, uncompress, zcat - compress data for storage, uncompress and
      display compressed files

SYNOPSIS
      compress [-dfFqcv] [-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.

      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.

      -b bits  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.

      -v       Prints the name of the file being compressed, the percentage of
               compression achieved.  With uncompress, the name of of the
               uncompressed file is printed.

SEE ALSO
      pack(1), ar(1), tar(1), cat(1)




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