How to use LZ4 compression in Linux 3.11

Question

LZ4 algorithm was included in Linux 3.11 kernel

Can I compress files with this algorithm without installation of additional packages?

Answer 1

This is referring to a kernel-side compression, for things like decompressing the kernel image itself. For a write-up of the benefits, and comparison with existing kernel compression algorithms, see http://events.linuxfoundation.org/sites/events/files/lcjpcojp13_klee.pdf.

For compression/decompression of files from userspace, you need the userspace utility, which can be obtained from https://code.google.com/p/lz4/

Even for use of the LZ4 compressed kernel described in the first paragraph, you still need a userspace utility to compress your kernel file.