What is the difference between Huffman coding and other coding techniques?

What is the difference between Huffman coding and other coding techniques?

Huffman coding is a lossless data compression algorithm that uses variable-length codes for encoding symbols based on their frequencies. Unlike other techniques, it focuses on minimizing the average code length.

Can you explain how Huffman coding works?

Sure! Huffman coding builds a binary tree where each leaf node represents a symbol. The more frequent a symbol is, the shorter its binary code will be. This tree is constructed based on the frequency of each symbol in the data.

What are some other coding techniques I should know about?

Other coding techniques include Run-Length Encoding (RLE), Arithmetic Coding, and Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW). Each has its own advantages depending on the type of data being compressed.

When should I use Huffman coding over other techniques?

Huffman coding is particularly effective for data with varying symbol frequencies. If your data has a predictable pattern, Huffman coding can provide better compression compared to fixed-length coding methods.