How do I create a type of compression that my software can read / write? My software only

I am working on a project that requires programmatically distributing a compressed file that in a format that is associated with my software. I am writing the software in Python.

I would use .zip, but I don't want to overwrite any previou开发者_JAVA技巧se filetype associations. ( with zip utilities )

You could create new file extension other than .zip and associate that file extension with your program.

Do what Java does: use zip format[*] file, but use a different filename extension.

[*] or a standard compression format of your choosing.

If you are looking to be able to associate an extension with your application, just use your own unique file extension and leverage existing zip processes.

If you are looking to be able to ensure that your own application is the ONLY application that can read the file as well, even if the user changed the extension you will have to do a LOT more work.