Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science

In data terms, which of the following is typically associated with JPEG images?

1. Lossy compression

2. Lossless compression

3. Metadata storage

4. Iterative data processing

The correct answer is: Lossy compression

JPEG images are typically associated with lossy compression. This means that during the compression process, some data from the image is permanently removed to reduce file size, which results in a loss of quality. The lossy compression used in JPEG is particularly effective for photographic images where the loss of some detail is often imperceptible to the human eye, allowing for significant reductions in file size without a noticeable impact on image quality. Lossless compression, on the other hand, retains all the original image data, enabling the exact reconstruction of the image upon decompression. Formats like PNG use lossless compression, making them more suitable for images where every detail is crucial, such as technical drawings or images with text. While JPEG does indeed support the storage of metadata (such as camera settings and image names), this is not the defining characteristic of the JPEG format. Similarly, iterative data processing refers to a method or process rather than a compression technique specific to JPEG images, making it less relevant in this context.