What is the term for compressing a file without losing any data quality?

Lossless compression is the term used for compressing a file in a way that allows the original data to be perfectly reconstructed from the compressed data. This type of compression is crucial in scenarios where data integrity is essential, such as with text files, images, and audio files where any loss of quality could significantly impact usability or clarity.

Lossy compression, on the other hand, reduces file size by permanently eliminating certain information, particularly in ways that may not be noticeable to the user. While this can be beneficial for reducing file sizes for streaming or storage, it compromises the quality of the file.

Data reduction is a broader term that encompasses various methods of decreasing the size of data, which can include both lossy and lossless techniques. It does not specifically refer to the preservation of data quality.

File archiving is about storing files in a manner that ensures they can be retrieved and used later, often in a compressed format, but it does not inherently imply that the data quality is preserved in the same way lossless compression does.

Therefore, the correct choice emphasizes the importance of retaining the original quality and integrity of the data.