LZOP

lzop is a fast data compression utility that uses the LZO algorithm (Lempel-Ziv-Oberhumer). It is designed for high-speed operation and is commonly used when speed is prioritized over maximum compression ratio. Compared with traditional compressors like gzip, lzop typically achieves quicker compression and decompression, though the resulting files may be somewhat larger.

The tool is part of the broader LZO project, which provides the LZO data compression library and related utilities. lzop works on both individual files and streams, making it suitable for pipelines and real-time processing. By default, compressed files use the .lzo extension, and lzop can read from standard input and write to standard output, enabling simple integration into shell workflows.

Technically, lzop implements the single-pass LZO encoding approach that balances speed, memory usage, and compression effectiveness. It offers configurable options to adjust the trade-off between speed and compression ratio, allowing users to select lighter or heavier compression modes depending on their needs. Typical use cases include rapid backups, large-scale data transfers, and any scenario where fast turnaround is more important than achieving the smallest possible file size.

Cross-platform availability is a feature of lzop, with builds available for most Unix-like systems and Windows through ports or binaries. It is widely included in various distributions and packaging ecosystems. Licensing is tied to the LZO project, which provides tools and library code under a permissive license, enabling use in both open-source and commercial contexts. See also related tools that emphasize different balances between speed and compression, such as gzip and bzip2, and the family of LZO-based utilities.