What is gzip magic number?

The gzip magic number is a hexadecimal value that is used at the beginning of a gzip file to identify its format. The magic number for gzip files is 1F 8B, representing a two-byte sequence that is commonly referred to as the "magic bytes" or "magic header".

The magic number is a unique identifier that ensures that the software reading the file knows what format it is in and how to decompress it. It helps applications recognize that the file is in gzip format, as opposed to some other format that may have a similar file extension.

The magic number is a fixed value that is present at the beginning of all gzip files and remains the same irrespective of the file's contents. When a gzip file is opened, the software checks for the magic number and if it is present, it can proceed with decompressing the file.

The gzip magic number is also used in other applications to identify the file format, including web servers and browsers that support gzip compression. It ensures that the compressed file is correctly interpreted and used by the receiving application.