Rock the AP Computer Science Exam 2026 – Code Your Way to Success!

A characteristic of lossless compression is that it preserves all information, allowing for the full recovery of the original data. This type of compression is essential in scenarios where retaining the integrity of the information is critical, such as with text files or image formats like PNG. Unlike lossy compression, which sacrifices some data quality in exchange for smaller file sizes—often appropriate for formats where perfect fidelity is less important, like certain audio files—lossless compression ensures that the decompressed file is identical to the original.

This feature makes lossless compression particularly useful for applications where quality cannot be compromised, ensuring that every detail is intact after compression and decompression.