The LAZ file format is a compressed version of the LAS (LiDAR data exchange format) file format. LAS is a binary file format for storing airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data. LiDAR data represents a collection of 3D points, each with associated attributes such as X, Y, and Z coordinates, intensity, return number, classification, scan angle, and more. LAZ files use lossless compression techniques to significantly reduce the file size of LAS files, often by a factor of 5 to 10, without losing any data. This compression makes LAZ files more efficient for storage, transfer, and processing of large LiDAR datasets. LAZ files are widely used in surveying, mapping, forestry, urban planning, and other applications that rely on high-resolution 3D point cloud data. The compression is based on lossless techniques, ensuring that the original data can be perfectly reconstructed from the LAZ file. This is crucial for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the LiDAR data for scientific and engineering purposes. LAZ files are often preferred over LAS files due to their smaller size, which facilitates faster data transfer and reduced storage requirements.