How to Use the Command 'zstd' (with Examples)
Zstandard, or zstd, is a fast lossless compression algorithm that provides high compression ratios. It was developed by Facebook and is designed to compress and decompress files efficiently. The command line utility for Zstandard makes it easy to handle compression tasks on various files and offers different levels of compression, which allows users to balance speed and compression ratio based on their needs.
Use Case 1: Compress a File into a New File with the .zst Suffix
Code:
zstd path/to/file
Motivation:
File compression is essential for saving storage space and reducing file transfer times. By using Zstandard, users can quickly compress files, which is particularly useful when dealing with large datasets or software that needs to be distributed efficiently. This use case exemplifies the most basic operation – compressing a file – highlighting how straightforward it can be to reduce file sizes.
Explanation:
zstd: The command used to initiate Zstandard compression.path/to/file: The path to the file you wish to compress. When executed, this command compresses the specified file and creates a new file with the same name suffixed by.zst.
Example Output:
When you execute this command, a new file named file.zst will be created in the same directory as the original file. The output will generally include information about the original size, compressed size, and compression ratio.
Use Case 2: Decompress a File
Code:
zstd --decompress path/to/file.zst
Motivation:
Decompression is just as important as compression for accessing compressed data. This example demonstrates how to revert a compressed .zst file back to its original form. It is particularly useful when you need to access or manipulate data that was previously compressed to save space.
Explanation:
zstd: Starts the Zstandard command-line utility for dealing with.zstfiles.--decompress: A flag that tells the utility to decompress rather than compress the file.path/to/file.zst: The path to the compressed file that you want to decompress.
Example Output:
The decompressed file will appear with the original name (without the .zst suffix) in the same directory. The process will also display decompression statistics, including the sizes before and after, and the decompression ratio.
Use Case 3: Decompress to stdout
Code:
zstd --decompress --stdout path/to/file.zst
Motivation:
There are scenarios where you may want to send the decompressed output directly to stdout, for example, when piping the output to another command or process. This is a common requirement in data processing workflows where direct visibility into the decompressed data is needed without creating additional files on the system.
Explanation:
zstd: The Zstandard utility command.--decompress: Denotes that the action is to decompress the file.--stdout: Directs the output of the decompression to the standard output stream (stdout) instead of writing it to a file.path/to/file.zst: The path to the compressed file.
Example Output:
The decompressed data will be printed directly to the command line interface or terminal. You’ll see the full content of the decompressed file outputted in the standard output stream.
Use Case 4: Compress a File Specifying the Compression Level
Code:
zstd -level path/to/file
Motivation:
Different situations might require different compression speeds or compression ratios. By specifying the compression level, users can choose a faster compression that results in a larger file or a slower, more thorough compression that minimizes file size. This flexibility allows users to tailor compression efforts to their specific needs, such as reducing bandwidth costs or optimizing storage for archival purposes.
Explanation:
zstd: Initiates the Zstandard utility command.-level: Placeholder for an actual numeric value (between 1 and 19) specifying the compression level.path/to/file: The path to the file you aim to compress.
Example Output:
The command produces a compressed file with the .zst suffix, showing a compression ratio and the time taken to compress. Higher levels will result in smaller files but take more time to process.
Use Case 5: Unlock Higher Compression Levels Using More Memory
Code:
zstd --ultra -level path/to/file
Motivation:
For those needing the smallest file sizes possible, Zstandard offers “ultra” modes, using higher compression levels up to 22. This is particularly beneficial when handling very large files where storage constraints are severe, or maximum data reduction is desired despite the potential time and memory cost involved.
Explanation:
zstd: The command for Zstandard compression.--ultra: Unlocks the additional compression settings ranging from level 20 to 22.-level: Should be replaced with a value between 20 and 22 when used with the--ultraflag.path/to/file: The file path of the target for compression.
Example Output:
You’ll obtain a file compressed at these ultra levels, displaying an even higher compression ratio than standard levels. The result will showcase the efficiency of Zstandard in reducing file size further, with more memory used in achieving it.
Conclusion:
The zstd command is versatile and robust, offering numerous options to meet varying needs for file compression and decompression. Whether aiming for speed or maximum compression, zstd has features that cater to those needs, supporting efficient file management across different environments and requirements.
