What process is used to decrease the size of a file for more efficient storage or transmission?

The process that is utilized to decrease the size of a file for more efficient storage or transmission is known as compression. This technique reduces the amount of data required to represent a file, making it smaller and easier to store or share, particularly over networks where bandwidth may be limited.

Compression algorithms work by identifying and eliminating redundant information within the file, effectively reducing its size without significantly compromising quality or fidelity. This makes it especially useful in various applications, such as sending images, videos, and documents over the internet, where larger files could result in longer upload and download times.

In contrast, decompression refers to the process of restoring the original size of a compressed file, resizing involves changing the dimensions of files such as images, and encryption is meant to secure data by converting it into a format that cannot be easily read without a key.