tar bundles files into one archive and can compress it in the same step. Options combine into a single word: one mode
(c, x or t), then modifiers, with f and the archive name last.
| Command |
Effect |
tar caf archive.tar.zst dir |
Creates an archive; a picks the compression from the file extension. |
tar xf archive.tar.zst |
Extracts. The compression is detected automatically. |
tar xf archive.tar.zst -C /target |
Extracts into another directory. |
tar tf archive.tar.zst |
Lists the contents. |
tar xf archive.tar.zst path/in/archive |
Extracts only some files. |
tar caf backup.tar.zst --exclude='*.log' dir |
Skips matching files. |
tar -I 'zstd -19 -T0' -cf archive.tar.zst dir |
Passes options to the compressor, here maximum zstd level on all cores. |
| Option |
Meaning |
c |
Create an archive. |
x |
Extract. |
t |
List the contents. |
f |
Archive file name (follows next). |
v |
List files while working. |
a |
Compression by file extension. |
z, j, J, --zstd |
gzip, bzip2, xz, zstd. |
| Format |
Speed |
Size |
Note |
.tar.gz |
fast |
larger |
Works everywhere. |
.tar.xz |
slow |
smallest |
Common for source releases. |
.tar.zst |
very fast |
small |
Good default today. |
