A data type encoding and compression system for a computer system is described. The encoding and compression system encodes and compresses programming language data structure and data type information for use in a kernel, system program or user application. The encoded and compressed data structure and data type information is generated using an encoding called compact type format (CTF). The data encoding and compression system includes merging logic that identifies common data structures within object files used to generate a given kernel module, system program or user application. Data structures common to a parent and a given child module are removed from the child module, during the merging process, and replaced by links from the child to the parent, thereby reducing the total size of the CTF data.