Linux commands: tar
A quick guide to the `tar` command, used to archive files
The tar command is used to create an archive, grouping multiple files in a single file.
Its name comes from the past and means tape archive. Back when archives were stored on tapes.
This command creates an archive named archive.tar with the content of file1 and file2:
tar -cf archive.tar file1 file2The
coption stands for create. Thefoption is used to write to file the archive.
To extract files from an archive in the current folder, use:
tar -xf archive.tarthe
xoption stands for extract
and to extract them to a specific directory, use:
tar -xf archive.tar -C directoryYou can also just list the files contained in an archive:
tar is often used to create a compressed archive, gzipping the archive.
This is done using the z option:
tar -czf archive.tar.gz file1 file2This is just like creating a tar archive, and then running gzip on it.
To unarchive a gzipped archive, you can use gunzip, or gzip -d, and then unarchive it, but tar -xf will recognize it’s a gzipped archive, and do it for you:
tar -xf archive.tar.gzThe tar command works on Linux, macOS, WSL, and anywhere you have a UNIX environment
download all my books for free
- javascript handbook
- typescript handbook
- css handbook
- node.js handbook
- astro handbook
- html handbook
- next.js pages router handbook
- alpine.js handbook
- htmx handbook
- react handbook
- sql handbook
- git cheat sheet
- laravel handbook
- express handbook
- swift handbook
- go handbook
- php handbook
- python handbook
- cli handbook
- c handbook
subscribe to my newsletter to get them
Terms: by subscribing to the newsletter you agree the following terms and conditions and privacy policy. The aim of the newsletter is to keep you up to date about new tutorials, new book releases or courses organized by Flavio. If you wish to unsubscribe from the newsletter, you can click the unsubscribe link that's present at the bottom of each email, anytime. I will not communicate/spread/publish or otherwise give away your address. Your email address is the only personal information collected, and it's only collected for the primary purpose of keeping you informed through the newsletter. It's stored in a secure server based in the EU. You can contact Flavio by emailing flavio@flaviocopes.com. These terms and conditions are governed by the laws in force in Italy and you unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of Italy.