tar.gz - Shell-Bash

Introduction

tar.gz is a compressed archive file format commonly used in Linux and Unix systems. It is a combination of two utilities: tar and gzip. tar is a utility used to combine multiple files into a single archive file, while gzip is used to compress the archive file.

Using tar.gz files can save a lot of space while transferring or storing data. In addition, it also simplifies the process of backing up and restoring data.

In this guide, we will look at how to create, extract, and manipulate tar.gz files using shell-bash commands.

Creating a Tar.gz file

To create a tar.gz file, you need to use the tar and gzip commands together.

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

This command will create a compressed archive file named archive.tar.gz in the current working directory.

The -c flag tells tar to create a new archive file. The -z flag tells tar to use gzip compression. The -v flag is used for verbose output, which shows the progress of the operation.

Extracting a Tar.gz File

To extract a tar.gz file, you can use the following command:

tar -xzvf archive.tar.gz

This command will extract the archive file to the current working directory.

The -x flag tells tar to extract files from an archive. The -z flag tells tar to decompress the file using gzip. The -v flag is used for verbose output.

Adding Files to a Tar.gz Archive

You can add files to an existing tar.gz archive using the following command:

tar -czvf archive.tar.gz /path/to/new/file

This command will add the new file to the existing tar.gz file.

Viewing the Contents of a Tar.gz Archive

To view the contents of a tar.gz archive file, you can use the following command:

tar -ztvf archive.tar.gz

This command will display a list of files and directories included in the archive.

The -t flag tells tar to list the contents of the archive. The -z flag tells tar to decompress the file using gzip. The -v flag is used for verbose output.

Conclusion

tar.gz files are a popular way to store and transfer files in Linux and Unix systems. Using the tar and gzip commands, you can create, extract, and manipulate tar.gz files easily. It is an essential skill for any Linux or Unix system administrator or developer.