The main performance parameters to consider when choosing the compression method are:
- compression ratio
- compression time
- can see and extracting single files
- support across OS
- ability to break into chunks
- keep file metadata such as permissions, hidden (windows), etc.
If you don't have very strict constraints, default to:
zip
if you want OS portabilitytar.gz
if you want to maintain Linux filesystem metadata intact: permissions, symlinks, etc.
TODO: understand these formats:
- lzip. Extensions:
.lz
- Extension
.xz
. TODO.