ZIP is a file compression and archiving format used to reduce file sizes for efficient storage and transmission. It combines multiple files and directories into a single archive, often named with a '.ZIP' extension. ZIP archives are widely used for data backup, software distribution, and file sharing.

To create a ZIP file, use the using statement to instantiate a ZIP object by passing the file name. Inside the using block, invoke the AddArchiveEntry method to add files to the ZIP file. The entry file path can be a directory where all the files in the folder will be added to the ZIP.

Finally, dispose of the archive using the Dispose method. The file will automatically be saved upon disposal.