If a .zip file contains all of the information of the original, just in less space, why does it have to be unzipped to access any of it?

Question

If a .zip file contains all of the information of the original, just in less space, why does it have to be unzipped to access any of it?

In: 1276

Answer 1

Consider it like Lego.

If you have built a spaceship, it takes up a certain size of box.

Take all the pieces apart and reorganize them into tight rectangular stacks, and you can fit them all in a smaller box. You can even fold the instructions into the box.

All of the information is still there to reform the spaceship, but you can’t use it like a spaceship directly.