LZ4
LZ4 is a lossless data compression algorithm and library that focuses on extremely fast compression and decompression speeds, often at the cost of compression ratio. It is designed for real-time applications where low latency is critical, such as in network transmission, storage systems, and gaming. The algorithm uses a combination of dictionary-based compression and a fast hash function to achieve high performance on modern CPUs.
Developers should use LZ4 when they need rapid data compression and decompression with minimal CPU overhead, such as in high-throughput systems like databases (e.g., RocksDB), file systems (e.g., ZFS), or real-time data streaming. It is ideal for scenarios where speed is prioritized over maximum compression, such as in-memory caching, log compression, or embedded systems with limited resources. Learning LZ4 is valuable for optimizing performance in latency-sensitive applications.