ZIM (file format)


The ZIM file format is an open file format that stores wiki content for offline usage. Its primary focus is the contents of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.
The format allows for the compression of articles, features a full-text search index and native category and image handling similar to MediaWiki, and the entire file is easily indexable and readable using a program like Kiwix – unlike native Wikipedia XML.
In addition to the open file format, the openZIM project provides support for an open-source ZIM reader called Kiwix.
ZIM stands for "Zeno IMproved", as it replaces the earlier Zeno file format. Its file compression uses LZMA2, as implemented by the xz-utils library. The openZIM project is sponsored by Wikimedia CH, and supported by the Wikimedia Foundation.