📦 File Compression and Decompression System

A simple C++ project to compress and decompress files using Run-Length Encoding (RLE)

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🧩 Overview

This project implements a File Compression and Decompression System using the Run-Length Encoding (RLE) algorithm in C++. It reduces file size by replacing consecutive repeating bytes with a single instance and a count. The system can compress and decompress any binary file (e.g., .docx, .txt, .bin) while maintaining data integrity.

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⚙️ Features

• 🔹 Compress files using Run-Length Encoding
• 🔹 Decompress files back to their original format
• 🔹 Handles both text and binary files
• 🔹 Simple menu-based interface for user interaction
• 🔹 Demonstrates file handling and byte-level operations in C++

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🧠 How It Works

• The Compress() function scans the file and replaces consecutive identical bytes with a count and the character.
• The DeCompress() function reconstructs the original data by repeating each byte according to its count.
• Files are read and written in binary mode to preserve their format.

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🧰 Technologies Used

• Language: C++

• Algorithm: Run-Length Encoding (RLE)

• Libraries:

  • <fstream> for file handling
  • <vector> for dynamic storage
  • <iostream> for console input/output

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🚀 How to Run

1. Compile the program

g++ compression.cpp -o compression

2. Run the executable

./compression

3. Follow the menu options:

1: Compress File
2: DeCompress File
3: Exit

4. File Setup:

• Place the file you want to compress as compression.docx in the project directory.

• The program will generate:

  • Compressed.txt → compressed version of your file
  • DeCompressed.docx → restored version after decompression

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📊 Example Workflow

1️⃣ Select option 1 to compress compression.docx. 2️⃣ The program generates a compressed file named Compressed.txt. 3️⃣ Select option 2 to decompress it back into DeCompressed.docx. 4️⃣ Compare both files to verify accuracy.

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🎯 Outcome

The project successfully demonstrates the fundamental concept of data compression, reducing file size for repetitive data and accurately restoring original files during decompression. It enhanced understanding of file I/O operations, binary data handling, and algorithmic logic implementation in C++.