The Z_RLE compression strategy in zlib

NEW: Z_RLE is implemented in zlib-1.2.0.1!

The original Z_RLE proposal (including comparison tests)
The Z_RLE implementation
Non Z_RLE -related patches
Testing

Testing

The following applications are updated for testing Z_RLE under zlib-1.2.x.

• minigzip
  This program was adapted for Z_RLE. This strategy is enabled via the user option -r.
• zip23cos.zip for testing the new deflate.
  This is a modified version of zip-2.3 that allows the user to select the zlib strategy and memory level from the command line. There are two additional user parameters in this zip:
  -Z to select the zlib strategy (-Z0=Z_DEFAULT_STRATEGY, -Z1=Z_FILTERED, -Z2=Z_HUFFMAN_ONLY, -Z3=Z_RLE)
  -M to select the zlib memory level (-M1...-M9)
  The build flag USE_ZLIB must be enabled.
  Please do not send to Info-ZIP bug reports related to this version!
• unzip-5.5 for testing the new inflate.
  There is no need for a special, modified unzip to test the new inflate. It is enough to build the original unzip with the build flag USE_ZLIB enabled.

Z_RLE appears to be about 2-10% slower than Z_HUFFMAN_ONLY; this is probably a fair performance.