Putting on the Squeeze!
This article details how to use a zip compression program, a tool used to compress files into a smaller, single file. The examples used in this page relate to one of the most popular programs available, WINZIP.
The following topics are covered:
Phrases — Phrases used in this tutorial
Extract — How to extract files from a zip file
Create — How to create a zip file
Note: WINZIP V6.2+ has two modes of operation, a Wizard mode and a Classic mode. The notes on this page refer to the classic mode as this mode allows more options
Phrases The following phrases are used in this tutorial.
File A file is a collection of computer data that is referenced with a single name. This is how data is stored and accessed on your computer. A file may be a program, a document, sound — in fact all data is stored within files. In this tutorial, think of a file as a single person.
Path (to a file) How do we find people? We use an address! In computers, we can store many files, but we need a way of finding them again. The path is how we do this. Just as you live in a house, in a street, in a town, in a city, in a state, in a country, computer files are stored in sections called directories. In Windows, the term directory is replaced by the word folder. Either will do! The path shows the whole address of where the file lives — just like your address states where you live.
Paths are usually expressed in the following way: \Program Files\ICQ\Sounds\Message.wav. In this example, the file is message.wav and its' path is the text contained within \. So that the computer (and us!), know where one folder name ends and the next starts, the naming separates each folder name with the \ character. Folder or Directory A folder (or directory) is a division on your computer that is used to separate files. Each application will have its own folders that it uses to store files in. This makes it easier for us to find files.
Extract To remove (or extract), files contained within a compressed file. Zip files need to have their contents emptied (or unzipped), before you can use them. Files are extracted from the zip file to a folder.
Archive To add files to a zip file. When this happens, winzip will compress (or squash), each file to make it smaller. Don't worry how this is done, just be thankful that it happens as it makes a great way to store and send files!
Latest Articles