compress(1)                                              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.

             -b bits  Specifies the maximum number of bits to use in
                      encoding.

             -c       Writes output on the standard output and does not
                      remove original file.

             -f       Forces output file to be written, even if one already
                      exists, and even if no space is saved by compressing.





                           Copyright 1994 Novell, Inc.               Page 1

      compress(1)                                              compress(1)


            -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 and the
                     percentage of compression achieved.  With uncompress,
                     the name of the uncompressed file is printed.

      REFERENCES
            ar(1), cat(1), pack(1), tar(1)





































                          Copyright 1994 Novell, Inc.               Page 2