Why bzip is the best compression algorithm for constrained environments like ComputerCraft

Summary

The article explores implementing the bzip compression algorithm in Lua for ComputerCraft, a Minecraft mod that allows programming in-game. The author explains why bzip, despite being outdated and criticized, is actually the best choice for this constrained environment due to its simplicity and compression ratio. The piece walks through implementing bzip's core components: Burrows-Wheeler Transform (BWT), Move-to-Front Transform (MTF), zero-length coding, and Huffman coding, all within Lua's limitations. The author argues that bzip's simplicity makes it ideal for scenarios where decoder size matters, such as in-game programming with limited disk space.