what is a zip file?

[silverbanekd]

not sure about all of these file names

[bsmith13421]

a compressed file

[Tawnos S]

A ZIP file is a file meant to compress files to make them smaller, and also to group them together. It's commonly used to transfer files between computers.

Some more information (from wikipedia):
The ZIP file format is a popular data compression and archival format. A ZIP file contains one or more files that have been compressed, to reduce their file size, or stored as-is.

ZIP files generally use the file extensions ".zip" or ".ZIP" and the MIME media type application/zip. Some software uses the ZIP file format as a wrapper for a large number of small items in a specific structure.

en.wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZIP_%28file_format%29)

[Chris A]

Zip programs combine the functions of an archiver and a compressor. They roll a bunch of files (including directory structure) into one large file, then compress it so it's smaller. They can be password protected, but aren't as good as a general purpose encryption program in that regard.

[BitbyBit]

well, Win-zip is a program and zip is an Extension so for example the windows word have there Extensions for example when I save a document and named it my-doc1 it take this Extension : DOC so my-doc1.DOC and there are a lot of Extensions like look my-doc1.TXT ... etc and Win-zip have it's file's Extension like look my-doc1.ZIP and win-zip is a program to compress files for example if you have a document and wrote in it this : " I have 1000 years old ago " then you saved it now have 26 bye of size now if want to compress it you must use for example Win-zip now the win-zip remember how much the number of character A in the text and remember it's position so it make for example a byte to put the number and byte to put the position then the file will be compressed ;)

[Dani M]

* A Zip archive that Windows presents as a single file. In general, the contents can not be accessed unless the archive is decompressed.
www.ontrack.com/glossary/

* is a file that has been compressed in order to take up less space on a hard drive or download faster over the Internet.
www.smallbizonline.co.uk/glossary_of_internet_terms.php

* a file that has been reduced in size to allow faster transferring between computers, or to save storage space. Originated with PKWARE, the technique is widely used and the term is used frequently to describe any compressed file. Some compressed files have the .EXE extension, indicating the file is self-extracting.
www.worldwidelearn.com/elearning-essentials/elearning-glossary.htm

* Zipping a file compresses one or more files into a smaller archive. It takes up less hard drive space and less time to transfer across a network or the internet.
www.printingforless.com/printingglossary.html

* A file that has been compressed and given the file name extension .zip (usually). Zipped files may contain viruses. Make sure your anti-virus program scans for viruses in compressed files.
www.tecrime.com/0gloss.htm

* A file that contains other files that are compressed to preserve space. Zip archives are convenient for containing files that you want to preserve as backups or as a convenient way of sending multiple files to someone. It is a very common format for an archive to be in.
www.jspayne.com/filearchiver/definitions.html

* A common type of compressed file (file extension . zip ) used to save space on disk. The word has developed a verbal use: to "unzip" a file is to uncompress it.
4umi.com/web/glossary.htm

* A file containing compressed data.
www.boydslaw.co.uk/glossary/gloss_itip.html

* A compression method for reducing a file's size and for bundling multiple files into one file. Zip files are denoted by the extension .zip
www.inbox-advertising.com/cgi-bin/main.pl

* ZIP Archive File. A ZIP archive contains compressed collections of other files. ZIP files are popular on the Internet because users can deliver multiple files in a single container; the compressed files also save disk space and download time. A ZIP file can contain viruses if any of the files packaged in it contain viruses, but the ZIP file itself is not directly dangerous. Other archive files include RAR, and LHA files. This file type has the extension ZIP.
www.mailtotal.com/mailtotal/HTMLFiles/Glossary.asp

* A file or files that have been compressed using a program like PKZip or WinZip to save disk space or to make them quicker to email. Bitmap image files compress particularly well.
www.eabnet.org.uk/knowitall/finally/glossary/z.htm

* A file format used to compress PC computer data into smaller files. Often used to speed up Internet downloads.
www.homeworkhotline.com/InternetGlossary.htm

* Method of compressing a file so that it can be downloaded from a website relatively quickly. Top
www.global-online-internet-business-opportunities.com/glossary.htm

* A file that has been compressed by a ZIP utility. To read the information, the file must be uncompressed into its original form. Computer lingo can be tough. How often do you see incomprehensible terms fly by on TV, the newspaper, or on-line? Is your 8-year old child or niece/nephew already tech-speaking way over your head? We have an answer. Or rather, the answers. The definitions you need, the terms you should know, to speak like the "digerati".
caltek.net/nd/mentor1/LESSONS/OTHER/Glossj-z.htm

* File made up of several other files compressed into one.
www.digitalmadurai.com/main/glossary.htm

* The ZIP file format is a popular data compression and archival format. A ZIP file contains one or more files that are compressed or stored.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zip_file

--A zip file can be created using programs like http://winzip.com (Winzip) or http://rarlab.com (Winrar)

[zanthus]

A zip file is a file that has been compressed with a specific compression software..a popular one is called WINZIP. another on is called PKZIP. You can dowload both just by doing a search on any searching web site such as yahoo.

If you have received a zip file, the only way you can open it is with this type of software. If you have a really BIG file you want to send someone, you can mak a zip file which will be much smaller and easier to send. Also, lets say you want to send someone 50 pictures. Rather than sending them one by one, you can zip them all into one zip file and then send the zip file.

Of course, your friend will have to have a zip program to be able to open the file