Google Chrome begins testing shared dictionary compression technology

Google Chrome, a leading web browser, is at the forefront of testing innovative technologies to improve web performance. One such advance is the implementation of shared dictionary compression technology. In a recent official press release, Google confirmed that its development team is working on implementing shared dictionary compression technology in the Chrome browser. The company claims that this decision can improve website loading efficiency by more than 90%. Developers can currently test the use of Brotli or the ZStandard dictionary compression algorithm on their websites to help Google improve related features.

The Google team uses the Angular framework as an example. Assuming the website is built using the Angular1.7.9 version framework, the file size is 172 KB without compression. If Brotli compression algorithm is used, file size can be reduced to 53 KB. This means that the file size can be nearly 70% smaller simply by using the Brotli compression algorithm.

However, if you use the user shared dictionary feature, you can use the previous version’s resource dictionary to compress the new version’s resources. Thusthe actual output file is only 4 KB, achieving a compression ratio of nearly 98%. Therefore, it “can significantly improve the loading speed of the web page”.

Development of compression technologies

Data compression has long been a key tool for optimizing web performance by reducing the size of page resources. Originally, gzip was commonly used to compress text resources such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. However, recent years have seen significant advances in compression techniques. In 2016, Chrome introduced the Brotli algorithm, followed by ZStandard compression in later updates. These technologies have revolutionized compression ratios for web resources.

Shared vocabularies: changing the game

The latest development from the Chrome team includes shared dictionaries, which are now available in native trial for both Brotli and ZStandard compression methods. Shared dictionaries work by complementing existing compression algorithms to achieve even higher compression ratios, sometimes exceeding 90%. By using user-selected custom dictionaries containing specific patterns appropriate for certain resources, Chrome aims to further increase compression efficiency.

According to the press release, Brotli and ZStandard compression algorithms can also be used with a user shared dictionary to achieve higher web page performance. This is because the custom dictionary is an external file and can be applied to any input. These dictionaries can be product codes or any content that is highly specific to an application. Also, the suitability of the input dictionary can have a huge impact on the overall compression efficiency. For this reason, matching a dictionary that is very similar to the typed content can achieve a higher compression ratio.

The Chrome team is currently open to shared dictionary compression technology trials. Individual testing may enable the experimental Compression Dictionary Transport feature in the Chrome browser. Developers must sign up to the Chrome Origin trial to receive a token, and then use the token on the website to enable sharing. Related compression functions.

How shared dictionaries work

Shared dictionaries improve compression by identifying redundant sequences in the input data and using this information to produce significantly smaller outputs that can be decompressed later. These dictionaries contain additional patterns that algorithms such as Brotli and ZStandard can use during compression. Custom dictionaries tailored for specific applications or content types can significantly affect compression performance. This will lead to a significant reduction in resource loading time.

Practical Application: Custom Compression Dictionaries

To illustrate the effectiveness of custom compression dictionaries, consider a scenario where a website uses the Angular framework. Upgrading from version 1.7.9 to 1.8.3 results in resources of a similar size. By applying Brotli compression with default settings, almost 70% compression ratio is achieved. Custom dictionaries tailored for specific frameworks or content types can further optimize compression performance.

Implications and future perspectives

The introduction of shared dictionary compression technology in Chrome marks a significant leap towards improving the speed and efficiency of web browsing. Although there are discussions about privacy implications and optimization strategies for generating custom dictionaries, the potential benefits for large web applications that often deliver incremental changes are significant.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Google Chrome’s implementation of shared dictionary compression technology represents a major advance in web performance optimization. By augmenting existing compression algorithms such as Brotli and ZStandard with custom dictionaries, Chrome aims to achieve compression ratios above 90%, significantly reducing the load time of web page resources.

The evolution of compression technologies, from gzip to Brotli and ZStandard, has revolutionized web performance optimization. Shared vocabularies now offer a game-changing approach by identifying redundant sequences in the input data. It also uses custom patterns for improved compression efficiency.

Practical applications of custom compression dictionaries, such as those tailored to specific frameworks like Angular, demonstrate the tangible benefits of shared compression dictionary technology. By significantly reducing file size while maintaining data integrity, this innovation promises to improve the browsing experience for users and streamline web development processes for developers.

While discussions about the privacy implications and optimization strategies for generating custom dictionaries continue, the potential benefits for large web applications that often deliver incremental changes are significant. Chrome’s commitment to innovation and performance optimization underscores its leadership in the browser market. It sets a precedent for future advancements in web technology.

Overall, the introduction of shared dictionary compression technology in Chrome reflects a concerted effort to push the boundaries of web performance optimization and deliver faster and more efficient browsing for users around the world. As developers continue to explore and exploit the capabilities of this technology, the future of web browsing promises even greater speed, efficiency and user satisfaction.