tar Linux Command Guide

The Linux tar command is a versatile tool used for archiving files and directories. It allows you to create compressed or uncompressed archives, extract files from an archive, and more. With tar, you can easily manage and backup large amounts of data while saving disk space. The command offers various options for customization, including specifying compression levels, adding files to an existing archive, and excluding specific files or directories. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, mastering the tar command is essential for efficiently working with files and directories in a Linux environment.

tar Syntax:

tar [options] [file or directory]

Options:

Option	Description
-c	Create a new archive
-x	Extract files from an archive
-f	Specify the file name of the archive
-v	Verbose mode
-z	Compress the archive with gzip
-j	Compress the archive with bzip2
-t	List the contents of an archive
-a	Auto-detect compression format

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
file or directory	Specifies the file or directory to be archived or extracted

Caution

Exercise caution when using the tar command, as improper usage may overwrite files or delete important data. Always double check your syntax and options before executing the command.

tar Command Samples:

Create a Tarball

tar -cvf archive.tar file1 file2

Creates a tarball named “archive.tar” containing “file1” and “file2”.

Extract a Tarball

tar -xvf archive.tar

Extracts all files from the tarball “archive.tar”.

List Files in a Tarball

tar -tvf archive.tar

Lists all files included in the tarball “archive.tar”.

Compress with Gzip

tar -czvf archive.tar.gz file1 file2

Creates a tarball named “archive.tar.gz” with gzip compression.

Extract Gzipped Tarball

tar -xzvf archive.tar.gz

Extracts files from a gzipped tarball “archive.tar.gz”.

Create a Tarball with Compression

tar -cvzf archive.tar.gz folder

Creates a tarball “archive.tar.gz” of a folder with gzip compression.

Extract Specific Files from Tarball

tar -xvf archive.tar file1

Extracts only “file1” from the tarball “archive.tar”.

Tip

When using the tar command in Linux, remember to carefully choose the appropriate options based on your specific requirements. Utilize the manual page (man tar) for detailed information on all available options and their usage.

How do I create a tar archive of a directory in Linux?

To create a tar archive of a directory in Linux, use the following command:

tar -cvf archive.tar /path/to/directory

How do I extract a tar archive in a specific directory in Linux?

To extract a tar archive in a specific directory in Linux, execute the following command:

tar -xvf archive.tar -C /path/to/extract

How do I compress a directory using tar in Linux?

To compress a directory using tar in Linux, use the following command with gzip compression:

tar -zcvf archive.tar.gz /path/to/directory

How do I list the contents of a tar archive file in Linux?

To list the contents of a tar archive file in Linux, run the following command:

tar -tvf archive.tar

How do I extract a single file from a tar archive in Linux?

To extract a single file from a tar archive in Linux, use the following command:

tar -xvf archive.tar path/to/file

How do I update a tar archive with new files in Linux?

To update a tar archive with new files in Linux, use the following command:

tar -uvf archive.tar newfile.txt

Applications of the tar command

• Creating a tar archive
• Extracting files from a tar archive
• Adding files to an existing tar archive
• Compressing a tar archive using gzip
• Extracting a compressed tar archive using gzip
• Compressing a tar archive using bzip2
• Extracting a compressed tar archive using bzip2
• List the contents of a tar archive
• Extracting specific files from a tar archive
• Verbose output while creating or extracting a tar archive