What Is A Zip File?

A ZIP file is a compressed format file. One or more original files can be compressed in size and then stored in a ZIP file. The user can extract the original files fro the ZIP file using the UNZIP function in a ZIP file program. The ZIP file format has the advantage of several files being saved as one file, which make it easier to email or share the files within it, and for the user to download. The compressed files are smaller in size than the original size, so the upload and download times are also reduced. Word processing and database files can often be compressed to as little as 10 percent of their original size. Another advantage is that many zip utilities support disk spanning, which enables a user to create a ZIP file on more than one disk if there is insufficient space. Most ZIP utilities will also allow encryption of files, which protects data security. ZIP files generally use the file extension ".zip".