A range encoder is an entropy coder that is belived to approach the performance of arithmetic coding without the patent encumbrances of arithmetic coding.

this is a stub article -- much more nneds to be written

See also:

• Shannon-Fano coding
• Huffman coding

External links:

• http://www.compressconsult.com/rangecoder/
• http://www.arturocampos.com/ac_range.html