pax Linux command

The pax command in Linux is a versatile tool for working with archives. It can create, modify, and extract various types of archive formats, including tar, cpio, and zip. Pax offers a wide range of options for customizing the archive creation process, such as preserving file attributes and permissions, excluding specific files or directories, and compressing archives. It is commonly used for backup and data transfer purposes, providing users with a flexible and powerful tool for managing their files and data.

pax Syntax:

pax [options] [parameters]

Options:

Option	Description
-c	Create a new archive
-r	Add files to an archive
-a	Append files to an archive
-w	Append files to an archive with current mtime
-f	Specify the archive file
-v	Verbose mode (display progress)

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
file	Specify the file or directory to be archived

pax bash Examples:

Create a new archive “myarchive.tar” from files in the current directory

pax -w -f myarchive.tar *

This command creates a new archive file named “myarchive.tar” containing all files in the current directory.

Extract files from an existing archive “myarchive.tar” to a specific directory “/home/user/documents”

pax -r -f myarchive.tar -s'|.*|/home/user/documents/|' '*.txt'

Extracts all files with a .txt extension from the “myarchive.tar” archive to the “/home/user/documents” directory.

List the contents of an archive “myarchive.tar”

pax -f myarchive.tar

Displays a list of all files and directories within the “myarchive.tar” archive.

Copy files from a source directory to a target directory using pax

pax -rw -s'|.*|/source/directory/|' '*.txt' /target/directory/

Copies all txt files from the source directory to the target directory.

Create a new archive “backup.tar” with full file path preservation

find /var/log/ -type f -name '*.log' | pax -wZ > backup.tar

Creates an archive named “backup.tar” containing all .log files in the /var/log directory with full file path preservation.

Extract specific files matching a pattern from an existing archive “myarchive.tar”

pax -r -f myarchive.tar '*.txt'

Extracts all files with a .txt extension from the “myarchive.tar” archive.

Tip

When using the pax command in Linux, make sure to carefully read the available options and their descriptions in the documentation or help center. Understanding how to specify options correctly is crucial for the successful operation of the pax command.

pax Command Help Center:

How do I use pax in Linux?

To use the pax command in Linux, execute the following command:

pax --option <value>

How can I create a new archive with pax in Linux?

To create a new archive using pax in Linux, use the following command:

pax -w -f archive.pax file1 file2

How do I extract files from a pax archive in Linux?

To extract files from a pax archive in Linux, use the following command:

pax -r -f archive.pax

How can I list the contents of a pax archive in Linux?

To list the contents of a pax archive in Linux, use the following command:

pax -f archive.pax

How do I add files to an existing pax archive in Linux?

To add files to an existing pax archive in Linux, use the following command:

pax -w -f archive.pax newfile

Can I compress a pax archive in Linux?

Yes, you can compress a pax archive in Linux using the following command:

pax -w -f archive.pax | gzip > archive.pax.gz

How can I extract a compressed pax archive in Linux?

To extract a compressed pax archive in Linux, use the following command:

gzip -d -c archive.pax.gz | pax -r

How do I copy files and directories with pax in Linux?

To copy files and directories using pax in Linux, use the following command:

pax -rw -s '/oldpath/newpath/' -pe /source /destination

Applications of the pax command

• Creating archive files
• Extracting files from archive files
• Listing contents of archive files
• Copying files while preserving timestamps and permissions