How can I verify file integrity after creating zip files?

You can decompress the zip file and use a tool like `diff` to compare the original files with the decompressed ones. If you're dealing with directories, just remember to use the `-r` flag for a recursive comparison! Alternatively, you could generate SHA256 checksums for the files before zipping and compare those checksums after unzipping to ensure everything matches.

You might also want to look into using a compressed file system, as it does some of what you're trying to accomplish. However, for portability and compatibility, sticking with zip files might be the better option. They’ve stood the test of time and include CRC checks, giving you some peace of mind about data integrity.

I've found that using zlib is a solid choice. It has built-in checksums that ensure data integrity when uncompressing. You’ll need to decompress the files to check if zlib reports any errors; if it doesn’t, you can be pretty sure the zipping process was successful.

There's a more reliable method involving checksums or hash values. Using these can help you verify file integrity before deleting anything. After zipping, generate a checksum for your files and then again after decompressing. If they match, you’re all good!

For verification, just unzip the file and do a diff of the contents. It's simple and effective! If anything doesn’t match up, you'll know immediately.