tar is a command-line utility in Linux that is used to create, extract, and compress files and directories. The name “tar” stands for “tape archive,” as it was originally developed to work with tape drives. However, it is now commonly used to work with files and directories on disk as well.
tar is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as creating backups, archiving files, and distributing software packages. It is widely used in the Linux community and is included by default in most Linux distributions.
The official page for tar can be found here.
Tar was originally written in C, so the C programming language was used to build it. However, there are also versions of tar available in other programming languages, such as Python and Perl.
Installation on Supported Operating Systems
Tar is included by default in most Linux distributions, so it is usually already installed on your system. However, if it is not installed, you can easily install it using the package manager for your distribution.
For example, on Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, you can use the following command to install tar:
sudo apt-get install tar
On Red Hat or CentOS-based systems, you can use the following command to install tar:
sudo yum install tar
Once tar is installed, you can verify its installation by running the following command:
tar --version
This will display the version of tar installed on your system.
Basic Usage
Tar has a wide range of options and can be used for many different tasks. Here are some examples of common tar commands:
Create an Archive
To create a tar archive, you can use the following command:
tar -cvf archive.tar file1 file2 directory
This will create a tar archive named “archive.tar” containing “file1”, “file2”, and “directory”. The “-c” option tells tar to create an archive, the “-v” option enables verbose output, and the “-f” option specifies the name of the archive.
Extract an Archive
To extract the contents of a tar archive, you can use the following command:
tar -xvf archive.tar
This will extract the contents of “archive.tar” to the current directory. The “-x” option tells tar to extract the archive, the “-v” option enables verbose output, and the “-f” option specifies the name of the archive.
Compress an Archive
To compress a tar archive using gzip, you can use the following command:
tar -cvzf archive.tar.gz file1 file2 directory
This will create a compressed tar archive named “archive.tar.gz” containing “file1”, “file2”, and “directory”. The “-z” option tells tar to use gzip compression.
Extract a Compressed Archive
To extract the contents of a compressed tar archive, you can use the following command:
tar -xvzf archive.tar.gz
This will extract the contents of “archive.tar.gz” to the current directory. The “-x” option tells tar to extract the archive, the “-v” option enables verbose output, and the “-z” option tells tar to use gzip decompression.
Similar Packages
There are several other packages available in Linux that provide similar functionality to tar. Some of the most commonly used ones include:
- zip: A package that provides tools for creating and extracting zip archives.
- gzip: A package that provides tools for compressing and decompressing files using gzip compression.
- bzip2: A package that provides tools for compressing and decompressing files using bzip2 compression.
- 7zip: A package that provides tools for creating and extracting 7z archives.
Each of these packages has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of which one to use depends on the specific requirements of your task.
Automation with tar
Tar can be used in scripts to automate tasks such as creating backups or packaging software. Here are three examples of scripts that use tar:
Script 1: Create a Backup
This script creates a backup of a directory and compresses it using gzip:
#!/bin/bash
tar -cvzf backup.tar.gz /path/to/directory
This script creates a tar archive named “backup.tar.gz” containing the contents of “/path/to/directory” and compresses it using gzip.
Script 2: Extract a Backup
This script extracts a backup archive and restores it to a directory:
#!/bin/bash
tar -xvzf backup.tar.gz -C /path/to/restore
This script extracts the contents of “backup.tar.gz” to “/path/to/restore” using gzip decompression.
Script 3: Package Software
This script packages software files into a tar archive:
#!/bin/bash
tar -cvf package.tar file1 file2 directory
This script creates a tar archive named “package.tar” containing “file1”, “file2”, and “directory”.
List of Tar Functions and Constants
| Function/Constant | Description |
|---|---|
| tar -c | Create an archive |
| tar -x | Extract an archive |
| tar -v | Enable verbose output |
| tar -f | Specify the name of the archive |
| tar -z | Use gzip compression |
Conclusion
Tar is a powerful command-line utility in Linux that is used to create, extract, and compress files and directories. It is widely used in the Linux community for tasks such as creating backups, archiving files, and distributing software packages. Tar is included by default in most Linux distributions and is written in C. It provides a wide range of options and can be used in scripts to automate tasks. Tar is just one of many tools available in Linux for working with files and directories, and the choice of which one to use depends on the specific requirements of your task.
Overall, tar is a versatile and essential tool for anyone working with files and directories in Linux.
This article incorporates information and material from various online sources. We acknowledge and appreciate the work of all original authors, publishers, and websites. While every effort has been made to appropriately credit the source material, any unintentional oversight or omission does not constitute a copyright infringement. All trademarks, logos, and images mentioned are the property of their respective owners. If you believe that any content used in this article infringes upon your copyright, please contact us immediately for review and prompt action.
This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not infringe on the rights of the copyright owners. If any copyrighted material has been used without proper credit or in violation of copyright laws, it is unintentional and we will rectify it promptly upon notification. Please note that the republishing, redistribution, or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited without express written permission from the author and website owner. For permissions or further inquiries, please contact us.
