LZW Algorithm
The LZW (Lempel–Ziv–Welch) algorithm is a lossless data compression technique that builds a dictionary of strings from the input data and replaces repeated sequences with shorter codes. It is widely used in file formats like GIF and TIFF for efficient compression without losing information. The algorithm works by dynamically creating and updating a dictionary of patterns as it processes the data stream.
Developers should learn LZW for implementing or understanding compression in applications where lossless data reduction is critical, such as in image processing (e.g., GIF files), archival systems, or network protocols. It is particularly useful when dealing with repetitive data patterns, as it can achieve high compression ratios while maintaining data integrity, making it a foundational concept in computer science and data storage optimization.