What is an Archive?
Archive refers to:
- The process of combining multiple files or folders into one file.
- For example, creating an archive file by grouping several files or folders together.
- A file that contains multiple files or folders combined into one.
- This is often referred to as an “archive file.”
- It can also refer to compression or compressed files.
- Compression involves combining files or folders into one and reducing their size. Compressed files are those whose size has been reduced through this process.
Detailed Explanation
- Archive: The act of combining multiple files or folders into a single file. For instance, “to archive files” means to bundle several files into one.
- Archive File: The result of the archiving process, a file that contains multiple files or folders grouped together. An example usage might be “to archive files into a single archive.”
- Compression: The process of reducing the size of files or folders, which often involves combining them into one file first. Compressed files are a type of archive file where the size has been minimized.
- Differences:
- Archive: Refers to the act of grouping files together.
- Compression: Refers to reducing the size of files or folders, often as part of the archiving process.
In Summary
When you see the term “archive,” think of it as “combining files or folders into one.”