# TAK (audio codec)

> lossless audiocodec

**Wikidata**: [Q1153141](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1153141)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tak-audio-codec

## Summary
TAK (Tom's lossless Audio Kompressor) is a lossless audio codec distributed as proprietary software. It is implemented in assembly language and designed to run on the Microsoft Windows operating system. The software is currently maintained with version 2.3.3 released on June 30, 2022.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** Tom's lossless Audio Kompressor
- **Category:** Lossless audio codec; Proprietary software
- **Current Version:** 2.3.3 (released June 30, 2022)
- **Operating System:** Microsoft Windows
- **Programming Language:** Assembly language
- **Website:** http://thbeck.de/Tak/Tak.html
- **Aliases:** TAK
- **Global Reach:** Available in multiple Wikipedia languages including Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, and Chinese.

## FAQs
### Q: What does TAK stand for?
A: TAK is an acronym for Tom's lossless Audio Kompressor. It serves as the implementation name for this audio codec.

### Q: Is TAK free and open-source software?
A: No, TAK is classified as proprietary software. This means it is released under a license that restricts use, study, or redistribution.

### Q: What platforms does TAK support?
A: TAK runs on the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems.

### Q: What programming language is used to write TAK?
A: The software is implemented using assembly language, a low-level programming language with a strong correspondence to machine code instructions.

## Why It Matters
TAK serves as a specialized tool in the digital audio landscape, addressing the need for lossless audio compression on the Windows platform. By utilizing assembly language for its implementation, the software is designed to maximize efficiency and performance, ensuring a very strong correspondence between the software instructions and the computer's architecture.

As a proprietary solution, it occupies a specific niche distinct from open-source alternatives, offering specific licensing terms for usage. Its continued development is evidenced by recent updates, such as the release of version 2.3.3 in mid-2022, indicating ongoing maintenance and relevance for users requiring high-fidelity audio compression within the Windows ecosystem. The availability of documentation in numerous languages (including Spanish, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian) further highlights its utility to a global user base.

## Notable For
- **Lossless Compression:** Capable of compressing audio data without any loss of quality or fidelity.
- **Assembly Implementation:** Written in assembly language to optimize for low-level machine efficiency.
- **Windows Integration:** Specifically designed to operate within the Microsoft Windows environment.
- **Proprietary Status:** Distinct from open-source codecs due to its proprietary licensing model.

## Body
### Technical Overview
TAK is an audio codec designed for the lossless compression of digital audio. The term "lossless" indicates that the compressed audio is identical to the original source, preserving full audio fidelity. The codec functions as an implementation of "Tom's lossless Audio Kompressor."

### Software Architecture
The software is distinct for being written in assembly language. This is a low-level programming language where instructions have a very strong correspondence with the computer's machine code architecture. This design choice is typically employed to achieve higher execution speeds and better resource management compared to high-level languages.

### Platform and Availability
TAK is intended exclusively for the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems. Official information and downloads are hosted at thbeck.de/Tak/Tak.html.

### Licensing
The software is released as proprietary software. This classification implies that the software is provided under a legal license that places restrictions on how it can be used, studied, or redistributed by the public.

### Version History
The most recent version noted in records is **2.3.3**, which carries a publication date of **June 30, 2022**.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013