Best compression tool or method

[Lateralus138]

Hey all, I was just curious as to what the best compression tool or method is in Ubuntu, well Linux in general, but Ubuntu is my main Linux OS. In Windows I use 7-zip and the Ultra setting seems to compress to a smaller size than I have ever seen from any other compression utility. I was wondering what is comparable to 7zip ultra method in terms of file size? I don't care about speed really.

[codemaniac]

Hey all, I was just curious as to what the best compression tool or method is in Ubuntu, well Linux in general, but Ubuntu is my main Linux OS. In Windows I use 7-zip and the Ultra setting seems to compress to a smaller size than I have ever seen from any other compression utility. I was wondering what is comparable to 7zip ultra method in terms of file size? I don't care about speed really.

You can use 7zip in Ubuntu as well .I guess you need to install the package p7zip from the Universe repository .

[Lateralus138]

You can use 7zip in Ubuntu as well .I guess you need to install the package p7zip from the Universe repository .

Oh ok, I was trying to install it with apt-get and was trying 7zip by itself and I know I could have searched in the software center, but for some reason didn't think of it til just now lol probably because I never use it. I didn't know there was a 'p' in front of it. I just installed it in Wine, but I always prefer to use the Linux programs if possible. And also I didn't know if there was something else Linux had in place of it. awesome thanks.

[codemaniac]

Oh ok, I was trying to install it with apt-get and was trying 7zip by itself and I know I could have searched in the software center, but for some reason didn't think of it til just now lol probably because I never use it. I didn't know there was a 'p' in front of it. I just installed it in Wine, but I always prefer to use the Linux programs if possible. And also I didn't know if there was something else Linux had in place of it. awesome thanks.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install p7zip-full

However I use gzip all the time .
You can try up the below compression utilities as well .
http://www.techradar.com/news/softwa...-tested-933098

[Lateralus138]

I guess it was already on my computer but there's no gui of course that's no big deal as I do most things from the terminal anyway. I have been reading about the different compression methods and how to get the best compression for the smallest files and I read somewhere that bzip is supposed to have the best according to this guys benchmarks here. But I did my own benchmarks using the best compression methods of both bzip2 and 7zip and I got a folder that was originally 64 mbs down to 26mbs with Bzip2 and down to 16mbs! in 7zip.

Edit: I just tried gzip with the -9 switch for best compression and it only got down to 26mbs as well.

[Frogs Hair]

When right clicking the folder and selecting compress there is a menu in the dialog box. Choose the package type toy want and the list will reflect the compression tools you have installed. Some compression tools might include a GUI independent of the file roller.

[Lateralus138]

When right clicking the folder and selecting compress there is a menu in the dialog box. Choose the package type toy want and the list will reflect the compression tools you have installed. Some compression tools might include a GUI independent of the file roller.

Thanks, I seen about 9 different compression types. I stated above I prefer command lines, but I was interested in gui options anyway so I did some googling and found this q7z for 7zip here (I had to install pyqt4-dev-tools to install it) and it works great just like Windows gui tool.

After playing with the tool for a minute I found out it also has the same compression options for xz, bzip, gzip, zip and tar.

I used each archive type with ultra compression on a text file and it seems that gzip did do the best there. I tried it on some images and it beat them too but only by a little of course images you cant barely compress at all anyway.

Text file (1.1kb) with ultra compression:
xz=828 bytes
bzip2=801 bytes
gzip=774 bytes
zip=818 bytes
tar=10.2 kbs? wow (I did these 3 times with the same results)

I then compressed a folder with multiple files (238.6kbs) types (part if a gtk theme) and here were its' results:
xz=33.8 kbs
bzip2=43.5 kbs
gzip=51.9 kbs
zip=161.5 kbs
tar=266.2 kbs

It looks like it just depends on what you're compressing for what type you should use.

Thanx again.

[Frogs Hair]

7zip for Windows has a GUI ,but installs as part of the file roller in Ubuntu.

[Lateralus138]

7zip for Windows has a GUI ,but installs as part of the file roller in Ubuntu.

Sorry I just edited my post above. I know, I use 7zip for Windows and I said above I have installed it in Wine, I just wish I could get better results from command lines. I don't really like to do anything the "easy way".