</ol>
<hr>
<a name="Chapter1"></a><h2>Introduction</h2><pre>
- Zstd, short for Zstandard, is a fast lossless compression algorithm, targeting real-time compression scenarios
+ zstd, short for Zstandard, is a fast lossless compression algorithm, targeting real-time compression scenarios
at zlib-level and better compression ratios. The zstd compression library provides in-memory compression and
decompression functions. The library supports compression levels from 1 up to ZSTD_maxCLevel() which is 22.
- Levels from 20 to 22 should be used with caution as they require about 300-1300 MB for compression.
+ Levels >= 20, labelled `--ultra`, should be used with caution, as they require more memory.
Compression can be done in:
- a single step (described as Simple API)
- a single step, reusing a context (described as Explicit memory management)
- - repeated calls of the compression function (described as Streaming compression)
+ - unbounded multiple steps (described as Streaming compression)
The compression ratio achievable on small data can be highly improved using compression with a dictionary in:
- a single step (described as Simple dictionary API)
- a single step, reusing a dictionary (described as Fast dictionary API)
- Advanced and experimantal functions can be accessed using #define ZSTD_STATIC_LINKING_ONLY before including zstd.h.
- These APIs shall never be used with a dynamic library.
+ Advanced experimental functions can be accessed using #define ZSTD_STATIC_LINKING_ONLY before including zstd.h.
+ These APIs shall never be used with a dynamic library.
They are not "stable", their definition may change in the future. Only static linking is allowed.
<BR></pre>
</b></pre><BR>
<a name="Chapter4"></a><h2>Explicit memory management</h2><pre></pre>
-<h3>Compression context</h3><pre><b>typedef struct ZSTD_CCtx_s ZSTD_CCtx;
-ZSTD_CCtx* ZSTD_createCCtx(void);
-size_t ZSTD_freeCCtx(ZSTD_CCtx* cctx);
-</b></pre><BR>
<pre><b>size_t ZSTD_compressCCtx(ZSTD_CCtx* ctx, void* dst, size_t dstCapacity, const void* src, size_t srcSize, int compressionLevel);
</b><p> Same as ZSTD_compress(), requires an allocated ZSTD_CCtx (see ZSTD_createCCtx())
</p></pre><BR>
<a name="Chapter6"></a><h2>Fast dictionary API</h2><pre></pre>
<pre><b>ZSTD_CDict* ZSTD_createCDict(const void* dict, size_t dictSize, int compressionLevel);
-</b><p> Create a digested dictionary, ready to start compression operation without startup delay.
+</b><p> When compressing multiple messages / blocks with the same dictionary, it's recommended to load it just once.
+ ZSTD_createCDict() will create a digested dictionary, ready to start future compression operations without startup delay.
+ ZSTD_CDict can be created once and used by multiple threads concurrently, as its usage is read-only.
`dict` can be released after ZSTD_CDict creation
</p></pre><BR>
<pre><b>size_t ZSTD_freeCDict(ZSTD_CDict* CDict);
-</b><p> Function frees memory allocated with ZSTD_createCDict()
+</b><p> Function frees memory allocated by ZSTD_createCDict()
</p></pre><BR>
<pre><b>size_t ZSTD_compress_usingCDict(ZSTD_CCtx* cctx,
A ZSTD_CStream object is required to track streaming operation.
Use ZSTD_createCStream() and ZSTD_freeCStream() to create/release resources.
ZSTD_CStream objects can be reused multiple times on consecutive compression operations.
+ It is recommended to re-use ZSTD_CStream in situations where many streaming operations will be achieved consecutively,
+ since it will play nicer with system's memory, by re-using already allocated memory.
+ Use one separate ZSTD_CStream per thread for parallel execution.
- Start by initializing ZSTD_CStream.
+ Start a new compression by initializing ZSTD_CStream.
Use ZSTD_initCStream() to start a new compression operation.
Use ZSTD_initCStream_usingDict() for a compression which requires a dictionary.
<a name="Chapter11"></a><h2>Advanced types</h2><pre></pre>
-<pre><b>typedef enum { ZSTD_fast, ZSTD_dfast, ZSTD_greedy, ZSTD_lazy, ZSTD_lazy2, ZSTD_btlazy2, ZSTD_btopt } ZSTD_strategy; </b>/* from faster to stronger */<b>
+<pre><b>typedef enum { ZSTD_fast, ZSTD_dfast, ZSTD_greedy, ZSTD_lazy, ZSTD_lazy2, ZSTD_btlazy2, ZSTD_btopt, ZSTD_btopt2 } ZSTD_strategy; </b>/* from faster to stronger */<b>
</b></pre><BR>
<pre><b>typedef struct {
unsigned windowLog; </b>/**< largest match distance : larger == more compression, more memory needed during decompression */<b>
size_t ZSTD_initCStream_usingDict(ZSTD_CStream* zcs, const void* dict, size_t dictSize, int compressionLevel);
size_t ZSTD_initCStream_advanced(ZSTD_CStream* zcs, const void* dict, size_t dictSize,
ZSTD_parameters params, unsigned long long pledgedSrcSize); </b>/**< pledgedSrcSize is optional and can be zero == unknown */<b>
-size_t ZSTD_resetCStream(ZSTD_CStream* zcs, unsigned long long pledgedSrcSize); </b>/**< re-use compression parameters from previous init; saves dictionary loading */<b>
+size_t ZSTD_initCStream_usingCDict(ZSTD_CStream* zcs, const ZSTD_CDict* cdict); </b>/**< note : cdict will just be referenced, and must outlive compression session */<b>
+size_t ZSTD_resetCStream(ZSTD_CStream* zcs, unsigned long long pledgedSrcSize); </b>/**< re-use compression parameters from previous init; skip dictionary loading stage; zcs must be init at least once before */<b>
size_t ZSTD_sizeof_CStream(const ZSTD_CStream* zcs);
</b></pre><BR>
<h3>Advanced Streaming decompression functions</h3><pre><b>typedef enum { ZSTDdsp_maxWindowSize } ZSTD_DStreamParameter_e;
ZSTD_DStream* ZSTD_createDStream_advanced(ZSTD_customMem customMem);
size_t ZSTD_initDStream_usingDict(ZSTD_DStream* zds, const void* dict, size_t dictSize);
size_t ZSTD_setDStreamParameter(ZSTD_DStream* zds, ZSTD_DStreamParameter_e paramType, unsigned paramValue);
+size_t ZSTD_initDStream_usingDDict(ZSTD_DStream* zds, const ZSTD_DDict* ddict); </b>/**< note : ddict will just be referenced, and must outlive decompression session */<b>
size_t ZSTD_resetDStream(ZSTD_DStream* zds); </b>/**< re-use decompression parameters from previous init; saves dictionary loading */<b>
size_t ZSTD_sizeof_DStream(const ZSTD_DStream* zds);
</b></pre><BR>
<a name="Chapter15"></a><h2>Buffer-less and synchronous inner streaming functions</h2><pre>
This is an advanced API, giving full control over buffer management, for users which need direct control over memory.
But it's also a complex one, with many restrictions (documented below).
- Prefer using normal streaming API for an easier experience
+ Prefer using normal streaming API for an easier experience
<BR></pre>