Packages and backups

The tar command

Packs files and folders into a single file, with or without compression.

Syntax

tar [-czf|-tzf|-xzf] <archivo.tar.gz> [carpeta]

Most useful options

-cCreates the package
-xExtracts the package
-tLists the content
-zCompresses with gzip
-CChooses the destination folder when extracting

Copy-ready examples

$ tar -czf copia.tar.gz DocumentosPack a folder
$ tar -czf copia.tar.gz Documentos && tar -tzf copia.tar.gzSee what is inside without extracting
$ tar -czf copia.tar.gz Documentos && mkdir restaurado && tar -xzf copia.tar.gz -C restauradoExtract into a folder

You can try them in the browser terminal: it does not touch your computer.

Typical mistakes

  • The destination folder for -C must exist before extracting.

Related commands

aptcpcurl

FAQ

What does the z in -tzf mean?

That it compresses or decompresses with gzip, the .tar.gz format.

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