What is the process of reducing the data size of a file for transmission called?

• A. Backstage View
• B. Check Accessibility
• C. Compression
• D. Excel Table

Answer: (C)

Compression is the process of reducing the data size of a file so it can be transmitted more efficiently. It works by encoding information using fewer bits, which lowers the amount of data that needs to be sent and stored. There are two main types: lossless compression, which lets you recover the exact original data, and lossy compression, which sacrifices some quality to achieve even greater size reduction. This concept is central when you want faster transfers or to save storage space, such as sending files over the internet or fitting more data onto a drive.

For context, you might see lossless methods used for text or software where exact recovery is important (like ZIP files), and lossy methods used for images, audio, or video where some quality loss is acceptable to achieve much smaller sizes (like JPEG or MP3).

Other options in the question aren’t about reducing data size. Backstage View refers to a file-management menu in Office apps, Check Accessibility is a tool to identify accessibility issues, and an Excel Table is a way to organize data in a spreadsheet.