Abstract: A system and method for compressing and decompressing data using a plurality of data compression mechanisms. Representative samples of each block of data are tested to select an appropriate one of the data compression mechanisms to apply to the block. The block is then compressed using the selected one of the mechanisms and the compressed block is provided with an identifier of the selected mechanism. For decompression, the identifier is examined to select an appropriate one of the data decompression mechanisms to apply to the block. The block is then decompressed using the selected one of the mechanisms.

Abstract: The functionality of Web clients (e.g. browser) is enhanced using a WebFilter Manager (WFM) that allows i) easy integration of individual WebFilters operating on ingoing or outgoing messages between the browser and web servers, ii) arbitrary and dynamic ordering of WebFilters operating on a message stream, iii) splitting, combining, modifying and processing of message streams by WebFilters. The same methodology can also be applied in any client server environment for extending the functionality of the client or server.