tar (create and extract archives) in Linux CLI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the tar command do in Linux?

The tar command bundles multiple files and directories into a single archive file. It can also extract files from such archives.

beginner

How do you create a compressed archive named backup.tar.gz of a directory called myfolder?

Use the command: tar -czf backup.tar.gz myfolder. <br>Here, -c creates an archive, -z compresses with gzip, and -f specifies the archive file name.

beginner

How do you extract files from an archive named archive.tar.gz?

Use the command: tar -xzf archive.tar.gz. <br>-x extracts files, -z decompresses gzip, and -f specifies the archive file.

beginner

What option shows the list of files inside a tar archive without extracting?

Use tar -tf archive.tar. <br>-t lists the contents, -f specifies the archive file.

intermediate

Explain the difference between tar -cf and tar -czf.

tar -cf creates an uncompressed archive file. <br>tar -czf creates a gzip compressed archive, making the file smaller.

Which tar option is used to extract files from an archive?

A -z

B -c

C -t

D -x

-x extracts files. -c creates archives, -t lists contents, and -z compresses or decompresses gzip.

What does the -f option do in the tar command?

A Forces overwrite of files

B Filters files by name

C Specifies the archive file name

D Formats the archive

-f tells tar the name of the archive file to create or extract.

How do you create a tar archive without compression?

A tar -cf archive.tar folder

B tar -czf archive.tar.gz folder

C tar -xzf archive.tar.gz

D tar -tf archive.tar

tar -cf creates an uncompressed archive. -z adds gzip compression.

Which command lists the contents of files.tar without extracting?

A tar -xf files.tar

B tar -tf files.tar

C tar -cf files.tar

D tar -czf files.tar

-t lists archive contents. -x extracts files.

What compression does tar -czf use by default?

A gzip

B xz

C bzip2

D zip

-z uses gzip compression by default.

Describe how to create a compressed tar archive of a folder and then extract it.

Think about the options for create, extract, compression, and file name.

Explain how to check what files are inside a tar archive without extracting them.

Listing contents is different from extracting.