Messages in this thread |  | | Date | Fri, 12 Dec 1997 13:56:46 -0600 (CST) | From | Adam McKee <> | Subject | RE: OFFTOPIC: Re: bzip2 for kernel dists? |
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It does compress slowly, but decompression is pretty snappy (though still slower than gzip). I think bzip2 is ideal for distributing software - remember that decompression is going to happen a lot more times than compression. The succession of LZ77-based compression by BWT-based compression is inevitable as machines get faster. But it will take some time to replace a standard as strongly entrenched as gzip. gzip is an absolutely superb LZ77-based compressor - maybe even the best of its kind.
How about integrating the BWT-based compression in bzip2 into gzip in order to speed the transition and make it easier?
gzip -bwt? Just an idea.
-- Adam
On Fri, 12 Dec 1997, linux kernel account wrote:
> Thanks for using NetForward! > http://www.netforward.com > v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v > > On Thu, 11 Dec 1997, Jordan Mendelson wrote: > > > So, bzip2 yeilds better compression, it's free (no patent restrictions on > > algs, etc), and it's available in binary & source form for Linux & a number > > of other OSs. What's keeping kernels from being distributed like this? > > One reason is that: While compressing you typical 30meg kernel tar, one > tends to grow old and grey.. I use bzip2 all the time, it's good... But > it's VERY slow.. >
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