2. A composite dictionary data compression process of claim 1 wherein the step of modifying the adaptive dictionary further comprises adding a new dictionary entry to the adaptive dictionary if a matching dictionary data string is not detected in the composite dictionary.
1. A composite dictionary data compression process for use with a computer system comprising the steps of: receiving into the computer system an uncompressed input data string; searching a composite dictionary to detect a dictionary data string matching the uncompressed input data string, the composite dictionary comprising a fixed dictionary and an adaptive dictionary; and modifying the adaptive dictionary in response to whether a matching dictionary data string is detected.