Lossless Information Hiding in Images

1.3. Overview of Image Coding and Compression Techniques

1.3.1. Source Coding and Data Compression

In computer science and information theory, data compression or source coding is the process of encoding information with fewer bits than an unencoded representation would use based on specific encoding schemes. As with any communication, compressed data communication only works when both the sender and receiver of the information understand the encoding scheme. Similarly, compressed data can only be understood if the decoding method is known by the receiver. Compression is useful because it helps reduce the consumption of expensive resources, such as the hard disk space or the transmission bandwidth. On the downside, compressed data must be decompressed ...