Buzz #05 19 мая 1997

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Rants & Raves - The results of research in the field of packing programs.

                    *** RANTS 'RAVES ***


(C) PARACELS


   Hello Dear Readers! Today we decided to tell you about the 
results of a study conducted by us in the field of packing 
programs. 

   Objects of study were the following runtime packer:

√ POWERFULL CODE DECREASER v6.1. (C) 1996 KSA SOFTWARE;
√ DATA SQUEEZER v4.12. (C) 1995 DMS 'RUSH int. ;
√ CODE CRUNCHER v3.11. (C) 1995-1996 KSA SOFTWARE;
√ LZSS / PACK Game Compressor v4.5. (C) 1991 ASC;
√ COMPRESSOR CODE v4.01. (C) 1993 ZYX;
√ PACK v2.2B. (C) 1993 U. of K. 'PSW.


   During the test code block to be packing process was used 
ordinary picture (display) file 6912 bytes long. 

   The above-mentioned programs are evaluated on three criteria:

a) The performance of the program after unpacking;
b) the length of the packed block;
b) the rate of extraction.


   And so what we have ...


   The first "volunteer" has become a PCD - already famous 
packer by KSA Software. Working with such a prog was a pleasure!

But everything is so beautiful in the PCD? .. It turned out 
EVERYTHING! That's so far - zalo study:


   * After unpacking the picture has not lost its beauty, but in
while most of the extraction process on the screen crawled out 
some glitches, however, they immediately disappeared. Want to 
say that the PCD is mode, providing the type of code block 
(SCREEN or CODE), and therefore, if you select SCREEN - all of 
the above bugs disappear. Although it is not clear: why do they 
do there ... 

   * Indicators are long PCD won first place. The picture has 
shrunk to 4,590 bytes, that is thinner by 33%. 

   * Extractor is quite fast and not have to take long
wait.

   In general, PCD is deservedly considered the best runtime 
packer for this moment, although I (PARACELS'u) blshe all like 
DATA SQUEEZER. 


   Second, and most for me (PARACELS'a) enjoyable, guinea
compressor was DSQ. And the results of a study we did not 
disappoint: 

   * After unpacking the picture appeared in perfect condition 
and without any accompanying glitches. It's just cool!


   * To length packed block DSQ, unfortunately, took only 
second place (it is now clear - why DYKSOFT'u blshe like PCD). 
Length squeez'nutoy picture was 4695. DSQ threw out her 32%.


   * Speed ​​of extraction is poor, compared
with all the other contestants ... What a pity! (Note 
PARACELS'a). 

   Despite all the shortcomings of DSQ, I (PARACELS) think it 
is a ray of - PWM compressor, but it's only mine opinion.



   The third, but by no means the worst, was LZSS. This aging -
cue, but before siih been used packer, is perhaps the most 
reliable in the sense of keeping the information after the 
package. 

   * As already mentioned, LZSS zapakuet and unpack your unit as
can be more accurate.

   * To length packed block LZSS finished an honorable third
place (old-not fun!). He threw out 27% and left 5091
bytes.

   * Speed ​​of unpacking just wonderful.


   Fourth into our hands got COC (for which thanks VELSOFT'u of
INTEGRAL GROUP). This compressor is based on the LZ, but has
more bells and whistles. It was they who helped him take fourth 
place. 

   * After unpacking was not noticed any glitches. All OK!

   * COC kicked out of the picture only 26% and left 5,108 
bytes. 

   * Speed ​​almost immediately unpack.


   Fifth place was taken by the compressor ZYX. But it should 
be noted that the very obolchka of this program well, sooo 
brake and neuvyazannaya. 

   * Unpacked the unit very well.

   * Along the length of the compressed block ZYX won the 
penultimate, fifth place. Picture has lost 21% and has remained 
with only 5466 by - Tami.


   * Groove hyperspeed.


   At last we have been very oak compressor
under nazavniem PACK 2.2B (Beta). I can not believe that he did
in 1993!

   * ... Although the quality of the decompressed block, he 
went to all but in this case does not merit fills all nedos -

tatki, and their oh how much ...

   * After packing unit has remained virtually the same taka in 
length. It was very modestly to throw 16% (!) And greedily 
abandoned 5838 bytes.


   * Speed ​​of decompression-another advantage of this 
program, but such length zakompressirovannogo block on the rate 
of decompression becomes frankly do not care.



   So, the seats were distributed as follows:

√-sized compressed blocks: √ Quality unpack:

       1. PCD V6.1. 1. PACK V2.2B.

       2. DSQ V4.12. 2. ZYX V4.1.

       3. LZSS V4.5. 3. LZSS V4.5.

       4. COC V3.11. 4. COC V3.11.

       5. ZYX V4.1. 5. DSQ V4.12.

       6. PACK V2.2B. 6. PCD V6.1.


   In the allocation of seats on the quality of extraction were 
taken into account data obtained as a result of compression of 
large blocks of code - Cove. Optimal runtime packer was found 
LZSS / PACK Game Comperssor v4.5. With a fairly good 
compression rate and quality extraction are high.


   Length of packed blocks, in this article include the length 
depacker'a. 


   Well, I hope our work with DYKSOFT'om not in vain, and
You, our dear readers, provided useful information for you -
tion.

   And now, bye! See you in the next "RANTS 'RAVES"!

                          C YA!!!


                                           Alexander (PARACELS).