Packing and unpacking tar/gzip files on Windows

A few years ago I wrote a similar blog for Linux. Refer https://www.w3lc.com/2011/06/tar-command-in-linux-to-archive-and.html. However, the question is again very relevant if your OS is Windows and its family. Hence this post.


Method 1: Using compression utility

First you compress it to tar with 7-zip and then to gzip with 7-zip.
You u can do using their UI or command line support provided by them.

Following is the example if you want to use 7z tool or its dll:

• Create .tar.gz: 7z a -ttar -so dwt.tar dwt/ | 7z a -si dwt.tar.gz
• Extract .tar.gz: 7z x dwt.tar.gz -so | 7z x -si -ttar

Method 2: Using bash shell on Windows like UnixUtils or any other Bash of Ubutu etc on Windows.

If installed, make a directory and proceed as follows:
cd /mnt/c/[path to folder to archive]
tar -pczf archive.tar.gz *
In fact, if you notice this approach is similar to my earlier blog for Windows.


Method 3: Write your own subroutine/function to generate a Zip file.

Yeah! you can do it. Thousands of companies do it. And you can find open source solutions as well. Because these formats are in any case open source! Pretty easy :)


Method 4: Extending method 1 more, you can use Gzip for Windows - GnuWin32. This utility has command line version as fell. Refer http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/packages/gzip.htm

Tar command in Linux [additional notes in Freebsd] to archive and extract contents (तार कमांड इन लिनुक्स)

'tar' command in linux is used to make archive and also to extract from the tar archive. Actually TAR is a file compression format and linux supports it very well. It is also used synonymously with TGZ sometimes. The same 'tar' command is used to create as well as extract from a tar.


A) To Create linux tar gz (Gzip) archive
tar -czvf myarchive.tgz mydirectory/
-c, –create create a new archive

In Freebsd there is no -v -z options so simple command like :
tar -cf would do it.

If you use -w , then it will prompt you at every file. -v will give you a verbose output at each line.

It is important to note that .tgz is the same thing as .tar.gz


B)To Create linux simple tar archive without any compression
tar -cvf myarchive.tar mydirectory/


C) For Extracting linux tar archive:
tar -xzvf mystuff.tgz
-x tells to extract the files form the tar archive
You can remove z if it is a simple tar file.

There are a lot more options available that you can get to know using man or --help. Also, a good book on linux will help you learn more on file compression decompresion and tar zip commands etc. The things i mentioned, will suffice your daily needs anyways. Cheers ;)