Run Length Encoding is a very simple form of file compression. It compresses long sequences of the same byte to an indicator code, byte value, and count. For example, 48 spaces (character code &20) might be encoded as &E9 &30 &20, assuming the indicator code was &E9.
CPC programs to use RLE techniques included:
- SQ23
- Crunch by Crown
- Newsweep (CP/M)
- PowerPage (for saved pages)
- Stop Press (for clip art)
- MicroDesign (for all saved graphics)
Later compression programs (such as Cheese and Columbia) used the more advanced LZW algorithm.