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.
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.
-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.
-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.
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.

Practice

1. What does the tar -cvf archive.tar folder/ command do?

easy

A. Extracts files from archive.tar into the folder directory

B. Compresses the folder directory using gzip

C. Creates a tar archive named archive.tar containing the folder directory

D. Lists the contents of archive.tar without extracting

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the flags used

   The -c flag means create an archive, -v means verbose (show progress), and -f specifies the archive file name.

2. Step 2: Analyze the command effect

   The command creates a new archive file named archive.tar containing the contents of the folder/ directory.

3. Final Answer:

   Creates a tar archive named archive.tar containing the folder directory -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   tar -cvf = create archive [OK]

Hint: -c means create archive, -f specifies filename [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing -c (create) with -x (extract)
• Thinking -v compresses files
• Assuming it extracts files instead of creating

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to extract a gzip compressed tar archive named backup.tar.gz?

easy

A. tar -xvzf backup.tar.gz

B. tar -xvf backup.tar.gz

C. tar -cvf backup.tar.gz

D. tar -czf backup.tar.gz

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify extraction and compression flags

   -x extracts, -v shows progress, -z handles gzip compression, and -f specifies the file.

2. Step 2: Match flags to the command

   To extract a gzip compressed archive, use tar -xvzf filename. tar -xvzf backup.tar.gz matches this syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   tar -xvzf backup.tar.gz -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Extract gzip archive = -xvzf [OK]

Hint: -xvzf extracts gzip compressed tar files [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting -z when extracting gzip archives
• Using -c (create) instead of -x (extract)
• Confusing -v (verbose) as mandatory

3. What will be the output of the command tar -tvf archive.tar if archive.tar contains files file1.txt and file2.txt?

medium

A. Shows an error because -t cannot be combined with -v

B. Extracts file1.txt and file2.txt to current directory

C. Creates a new archive named archive.tar

D. Lists file1.txt and file2.txt with details without extracting

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the flags

   -t lists contents of an archive, -v shows details, and -f specifies the archive file.

2. Step 2: Predict the command output

   The command lists the files inside archive.tar with details, without extracting them.

3. Final Answer:

   Lists file1.txt and file2.txt with details without extracting -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   -t lists contents, -v shows details [OK]

Hint: -t lists archive contents, -v adds details [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it extracts files instead of listing
• Assuming -t and -v cannot be combined
• Confusing -t with -x

4. You run tar -cvzf archive.tar.gz folder/ but get an error. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. The order of flags is incorrect; -z must come before -c

B. The folder/ directory does not exist

C. The -f flag must be last and followed by the filename

D. You cannot combine -v and -z flags

Solution

1. Step 1: Verify command syntax

   The flags -c (create), -v (verbose), -z (gzip), -f archive.tar.gz are correct, with filename immediately after -f.

2. Step 2: Determine error cause

   The syntax is valid, so the likely cause is that folder/ does not exist, causing a "Cannot stat: No such file or directory" error.

3. Final Answer:

   The folder/ directory does not exist -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   tar create error = missing source directory [OK]

Hint: tar create errors usually from missing source files/directories [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming flag order syntax error
• Overlooking if source directory exists
• Confusing with permission issues

5. You want to create a compressed archive of the project/ folder, but exclude all .log files inside it. Which command achieves this?

hard

A. tar -czvf project.tar.gz --exclude='*.log' project/

B. tar -czvf project.tar.gz project/ --exclude='*.log'

C. tar -cvzf project.tar.gz project/ --exclude='*.log'

D. tar -xvzf project.tar.gz --exclude='*.log' project/

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand exclusion and compression flags

   The --exclude='*.log' option excludes files matching the pattern. -c creates, -z compresses with gzip, -v shows progress, and -f specifies the archive filename.

2. Step 2: Check correct flag order and placement

   The exclude option must come before the folder argument. tar -czvf project.tar.gz --exclude='*.log' project/ correctly places --exclude='*.log' before project/ and uses correct flags.

3. Final Answer:

   tar -czvf project.tar.gz --exclude='*.log' project/ -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Exclude before folder, use -czvf for compressed archive [OK]

Hint: Put --exclude before folder, use -czvf to create compressed archive [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Placing --exclude after folder argument
• Using -x (extract) instead of -c (create)
• Mixing flag order or misspelling exclude