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I understand that 7za.exe supports a smaller number of compression formats, but I was curious what else may be different between the two, other than just that?

Having some additional information on these would help me understand some of the trade-offs between the two and help ensure I pick the best one to suit my particular needs.

For example, I wasn't sure if one is faster than the other? Assuming that 7za.exe has support for the archive formats I need, what are the substantive differences between the two in terms of such things as specifications, features, and documented performance?

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1 Answers1

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7Z.exe versus 7Za.exe

7Z.exe is the full-featured 7-Zip command-line tool, supporting more compression algorithms and advanced features, often utilizing external DLL files.

In contrast, 7za.exe is a lightweight, standalone version with fewer supported formats and capabilities, and it doesn't receive the same regular updates or new compression methods as 7Z.exe, though both use the 7z format.

Furthermore

According to the Command Line Version User's Guide:

"7za.exe (a = alone) is a standalone version of 7-Zip. 7za.exe supports only 7z, lzma, cab, zip, gzip, bzip2, Z and tar formats. 7za.exe doesn't use external modules."

According to 7z Format:

"7z has open architecture, so it can support any new compression methods. Now the following methods are integrated to 7z: LZMA, LZMA2, PPMD, BCJ, BCJ2, BZip2, and Deflate."

Quick Recap

  • 7Za.exe: Standalone and fewer archive formats supported
  • 7Z.exe: Open architecture able to support any new compression methods moving forward

Choosing One

You could choose 7Za.exe over 7Z.exe if you prefer a more lightweight, standalone utility that doesn't require external modules to function as expected.

You could choose 7Z.exe over 7Za.exe if you need support for newer archive formats or anticipate needing additional compression methods in the future, as 7Z.exe has open architecture and is regularly updated with new features.

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