Data Compression vs Data Deduplication

Data compression and data deduplication are two techniques used to optimize data storage, but they function in different ways and are suited for different scenarios.

Data Compression

• Definition: Data compression involves encoding information using fewer bits than the original representation. It reduces the size of data by removing redundancies and is often used to save storage space or decrease transmission times.
• Types:
  • Lossless Compression: Reduces file size without losing any data (e.g., ZIP files). You can restore data to its original state.