COMPRESS(C)                          UNIX System V



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


     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.

          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.


     See Also
          pack(C), ar(C), tar(C), cat(C)


     (printed 2/15/90)                                COMPRESS(C)