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Free Image Format ConversionWhat is ZIP?
A ZIP file is the standard format for compressing files and folders in computer systems. To most computer users, they're synonymous with “compressed,” as they support both data archiving and compression. The ZIP file format was developed by Gary Conway and Phil Katz in 1989 and has since become very popular.
A ZIP file is a data container that packages one or more files together using ZIP compression. It is widely supported and used by several software companies, including Apple's Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. Interestingly, any program capable of creating a ZIP file can access its contents.
In addition to compressing files, ZIP archives can also encrypt (password protect) and split them with just a few clicks. Each file within a compressed folder is stored separately, allowing for random access. This enables easy extraction or addition of new files without having to unpack the entire archive.
Furthermore, files and folders can be compressed (zipped) using various methods, such as WavPack, BZIP2, PPMd, DEFLATE, LZMA, and others. A zip archive can also contain other elements unrelated to the archive, making it a self-extracting file.
Fun fact: Unlike RAR, ZIP is not an acronym.
What is RAR?
RAR stands for “Roshal ARchive,” named after its Russian creator, Eugene Roshal. Similar to a ZIP file, a RAR is a compressed archive that stores one or more folders in a single location. It functions much like a regular folder on your computer system that can hold many other documents, which can be moved or saved around.
Unlike ZIP archives that can be opened with built-in computer tools, RAR files require a third-party software application to open or extract their contents. It is the native file format of the WinRAR archiver, used for storing files in a compressed form.
Furthermore, it features a higher compression ratio than known ZIP implementations, and includes a (proprietary) compression algorithm designed to handle block splitting, lossless data compression, and error recovery. Any file with the extension '.RAR' is a RAR file.
What is the difference between ZIP and RAR?
The debate about ZIP vs RAR goes on and on; the table below highlights the differences between RAR and ZIP. These differences are based on several parameters, and ultimately, your choice will depend on your needs and available resources.
| ZIP | RAR |
|---|---|
| ZIP is a free and open archive format supported by many software applications worldwide. | RAR is not free and usually requires a third-party tool, the "WinRAR Archiver," for compressing or decompressing files. |
| It was created by Phil Katz as an archive file format for lossless data compression. | RAR is a proprietary archive file format developed by Eugene Roshal for lossless data compression. |
| It offers password-based encryption. | It does not offer password-based encryption. |
| Its compression ratio is lower compared to RAR. | It has a better/higher compression rate compared to ZIP format. |
| ZIP files use the weak ZIP 2.0 encryption algorithm. | RAR uses a more efficient AES-128 encryption algorithm. |
| ZIP files can be created with programs like Freebyte Zip, WinZIP, and WinRAR. | RAR files can only be created with WinRAR. |
| It uses the DEFLATE compression algorithm for less efficient compression. | It employs a more efficient compression algorithm than the DEFLATE method. |
| File extensions are limited to .zip and .zipx. | File extensions can be .rev, .rar, .r00, and .r01. |
Conclusion
The comparison between ZIP and RAR depends on the context of use or the comparison parameters, as both are compression algorithms with their own pros and cons. While ZIP is a well-known and older file compression format, compatible with built-in features of most systems and comprising a significant portion of internet files, RAR holds an advantage in terms of efficiency and speed. Both formats effectively reduce file sizes without compromising content quality.