  File Extensions  ZIP File Format  SUMMARY: Zip archives
defined, including how they are created and unpacked.  The .ZIP
extension signifies that a file is a ZIP archive. This allows
people to package a complete game, screensaver, application,
electronic book, or whatever as one larger file instead of
multiple smaller files, for example before sending them via
e-mail. ZIP files are used often in Windows environments, and
you will also see them on Mac and Un*x-based machines.  ZIP
files can be created by a third-party external creation tool,
but most modern operating systems have the ability to create
basic .ZIP files internally without downloading such software.
The process takes a group of files and mashes them ("zips" them)
together into one "archive" file, sometimes reducing the amount
of space the ZIP file takes on the hard drive ("compressing").
After the ZIP file is transferred, the recipient takes the ZIP
file and "unzips" it, causing the original files to appear on
their hard drive. Again, while thir