Run-length encoding

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'''Run-length encoding''' ('''RLE''') is a simple kind of data compression, in which a run of consecutive equal data values is replaced by a code indicating the run length and the data value.
 
'''Run-length encoding''' ('''RLE''') is a simple kind of data compression, in which a run of consecutive equal data values is replaced by a code indicating the run length and the data value.
  
RLE can be effective for some types of data, or as part of a more sophisticated algorithm, but by itself it is a poor general purpose compression algorithm.
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RLE can be effective for some types of data, or as part of a more sophisticated algorithm, but by itself it is a poor general-purpose compression algorithm.
  
 
RLE is used in countless [[Graphics#Raster Graphics Formats|raster graphics]] formats.
 
RLE is used in countless [[Graphics#Raster Graphics Formats|raster graphics]] formats.
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== Related formats ==
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Algorithms and compressed data formats based primarily on RLE:
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* [[NeXT 2-bit RLE]]
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* [[PackBits]]
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* [[RLE90]]
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* [[Run-length colour encoding]]
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* [[ThunderScan compression]]
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Note that most RLE implementations are used in only one format, and are not documented in a separate article.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
* [[Wikipedia:Run-length encoding|Wikipedia article]]
 
* [[Wikipedia:Run-length encoding|Wikipedia article]]
 
* [http://www.fileformat.info/mirror/egff/ch09_03.htm Run-Length Encoding (RLE)], from the [[Encyclopedia of Graphics File Formats]]
 
* [http://www.fileformat.info/mirror/egff/ch09_03.htm Run-Length Encoding (RLE)], from the [[Encyclopedia of Graphics File Formats]]
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* [https://moddingwiki.shikadi.net/wiki/RLE_Compression RLE Compression] article on the Shikadi Modding Wiki, with a list of RLE variants used in proprietary game file formats.
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[[Category:Graphics]]

Latest revision as of 08:55, 4 January 2024

File Format
Name Run-length encoding
Ontology
PRONOM x-cmp/13

Run-length encoding (RLE) is a simple kind of data compression, in which a run of consecutive equal data values is replaced by a code indicating the run length and the data value.

RLE can be effective for some types of data, or as part of a more sophisticated algorithm, but by itself it is a poor general-purpose compression algorithm.

RLE is used in countless raster graphics formats.

[edit] Related formats

Algorithms and compressed data formats based primarily on RLE:

Note that most RLE implementations are used in only one format, and are not documented in a separate article.

[edit] Links

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