This C++ library is my own implementation of Huffman compression and decompression algorithm. Only works for text files.

This project was made as a part of my sophomore year 1st semester final project in Data Structures and Algorithms. The project initially consisted of two separate files and was later combined into a single library.

The library can handle large files (10,000,000+ characters) surprisingly well.

Larger files may take longer time to finish.

The Huffman text compression algorithm employed by this library aims to achieve significant reduction in file size while maintaining lossless data compression. While the actual compression ratio may vary depending on factors such as the content and structure of the input text files, tests have shown that the compression ratio can reach up to 50%.

To use this library in your C++ project, follow these steps:

1. Clone the repository or download the source code.
2. Include the necessary files in your project. Make sure that the header file is in the appropriate folder location.
3. Use the provided functions for compression and decompression.

bool huffmanlib::compress(string& filename): <filename>.compressed.huffman

Takes a string filename as a parameter. Returns true if the compression is successful.

Assumes that the filename has .txt file extension omitted. For example, if the file name is sample.txt, the input should be sample.

Appends .compressed.huffman file extension to the compressed file.

bool huffmanlib::decompress(string& filename): <filename>.decompressed.txt

Takes a string filename as a parameter. Returns true if the decompression is successful.

Assumes that the filename has .huffman file extension omitted. For example, if the file name is sample.txt.compressed.huffman, the input should be sample.txt.compressed.

Appends .decompressed.txt file extension to the decompressed file.

#include <iostream>
#include "huffmanlib.h" // Import the library

using namespace std;
using namespace huffmanlib;

int main() {
    // Compress a text file
    compress("input");

    // Decompress a compressed file
    decompress("compressed");

    return 0;
}

📝 What is Huffman Encoding?.

📝 The storage format for compression was also inspired by Lasse V. Karlsen's proposal.

This project is licensed under the MIT License.