# How Data Compression Works: Huffman Coding, ZIP, and TAR.GZ

DevFeed: [How Data Compression Works: Huffman Coding, ZIP, and TAR.GZ](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/the-mechanics-of-compression-how-100gb-becomes-25gb-33343.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.ratnesh-maurya.com/blog/The-Mechanics-of-Compression-How-100GB-Becomes-25GB>)

Author: ratneshmaurya2311@gmail.com (Ratnesh Maurya)

Published: 2026-02-19T00:00:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Ratn Labs](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/ratn-labs.md>)

Topics: [Compression](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/compression.md>), [data](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/data.md>), [coding](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/coding.md>), [Zip](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/zip.md>)

Tags: [backend](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/backend.md>), [coding](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/coding.md>), [compression](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/compression.md>), [computer-science](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/computer-science.md>), [computer-science-backend](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/computer-science-backend.md>), [data](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data.md>), [deep-dive](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/deep-dive.md>)

## AI overview

This deep dive explains the mathematics behind data compression, including Huffman Coding and the architectural differences between ZIP and TAR.GZ.

## Source excerpt

A deep dive into the mathematical 'magic' behind data compression, from Huffman Coding to the architectural differences between ZIP and TAR.GZ.