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Supported Formats
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Common Formats
ZIP Archive - universal compression format developed by Phil Katz (1989) supporting multiple compression methods. Built into Windows, macOS, and Linux. Uses DEFLATE algorithm providing good compression (40-60% reduction) with fast processing. Supports file encryption, split archives, and compression levels. Maximum compatibility across all platforms and devices. Perfect for file sharing, email attachments, web downloads, and general-purpose compression. Industry standard with virtually universal software support including built-in OS tools, mobile apps, and command-line utilities.
RAR Archive - proprietary format by Eugene Roshal (1993) offering superior compression ratios (10-20% better than ZIP) through advanced algorithms. Popular on Windows with WinRAR software. Supports recovery records for damaged archive repair, solid compression for better ratios, strong AES encryption, and split archives up to 8 exabytes. Excellent for long-term storage, large file collections, and backup scenarios. Common in software distribution and file sharing communities. Requires WinRAR or compatible software (not built into most systems).
7-Zip Archive - open-source format by Igor Pavlov (1999) providing the best compression ratio available (20-40% better than ZIP, 10-15% better than RAR). Uses LZMA and LZMA2 algorithms with strong AES-256 encryption. Supports huge file sizes (16 exabytes), multiple compression methods, solid compression, and self-extracting archives. Free from licensing restrictions and patent concerns. Perfect for maximizing storage efficiency, software distribution, and backup archives where size matters. Requires 7-Zip or compatible software but offers exceptional space savings.
Unix Formats
TAR Archive - Tape Archive format from Unix (1979) bundling multiple files and directories into single file without compression. Preserves file permissions, ownership, timestamps, and symbolic links critical for Unix systems. Often combined with compression (TAR.GZ, TAR.BZ2, TAR.XZ) for efficient distribution. Standard format for Linux software packages, system backups, and cross-platform file transfer. Essential for maintaining Unix file attributes. Works with streaming operations enabling network transfers and piping. Foundation of Unix/Linux backup and distribution systems.
GZIP/TGZ - GNU zip compression format (1992) using DEFLATE algorithm, standard compression for Linux and Unix systems. TGZ is TAR archive compressed with GZIP. Fast compression and decompression with moderate ratios (50-70% reduction for text). Single-file compression commonly paired with TAR for multi-file archives. Universal on Unix/Linux systems with built-in 'gzip' command. Perfect for log files, text data, Linux software distribution, and web server compression. Streaming-friendly enabling on-the-fly compression. Industry standard for Unix file compression since the 1990s.
BZIP2/TBZ2 - block-sorting compression format by Julian Seward (1996) offering better compression than GZIP (10-15% smaller) at the cost of slower processing. TBZ2 is TAR archive compressed with BZIP2. Uses Burrows-Wheeler transform achieving excellent ratios on text and source code. Popular for software distribution where size matters more than speed. Common in Linux package repositories and source code archives. Ideal for archival storage, software releases, and situations prioritizing compression over speed. Standard tool on most Unix/Linux systems.
XZ/TXZ - modern compression format (2009) using LZMA2 algorithm providing excellent compression ratios approaching 7Z quality. TXZ is TAR archive compressed with XZ. Superior to GZIP and BZIP2 with ratios similar to 7Z but as single-file stream. Becoming the new standard for Linux distributions and software packages. Supports multi-threading for faster processing. Perfect for large archives, software distribution, and modern Linux systems. Smaller download sizes for software packages while maintaining fast decompression. Default compression for many current Linux distributions.
{format_tar_7z_desc}
{format_tar_bz_desc}
{format_tar_lz_desc}
{format_tar_lzma_desc}
{format_tar_lzo_desc}
{format_tar_z_desc}
TGZ - TAR archive compressed with GZIP compression. Combines TAR's file bundling with GZIP's compression in single extension (.tgz instead of .tar.gz). Standard format for Linux software distribution and source code packages. Maintains Unix file permissions and attributes while reducing size 50-70%. Fast compression and decompression speeds. Universal compatibility on Unix/Linux systems. Perfect for software releases, backup archives, and cross-platform file transfer. Abbreviated form of TAR.GZ with identical functionality and structure.
TBZ2 - TAR archive compressed with BZIP2 compression. Better compression than TGZ (10-15% smaller) but slower processing. Uses Burrows-Wheeler block sorting for excellent text compression. Common in Linux distributions and software packages where size is critical. Maintains Unix file permissions and attributes. Perfect for source code distribution, archival storage, and bandwidth-limited transfers. Abbreviated form of TAR.BZ2 with identical functionality. Standard format for Gentoo Linux packages and large software archives.
TXZ - TAR archive compressed with XZ (LZMA2) compression. Modern format offering best compression ratios for TAR archives (better than TGZ and TBZ2). Fast decompression despite high compression. Supports multi-threading for improved performance. Becoming standard for Linux distributions (Arch, Slackware use TXZ). Maintains Unix permissions and symbolic links. Perfect for large software packages, system backups, and efficient storage. Abbreviated form of TAR.XZ representing the future of Unix archive compression.
LZMA/TAR.LZMA - Lempel-Ziv-Markov chain Algorithm compression format (2001) offering excellent compression ratios. TAR.LZMA combines TAR archiving with LZMA compression. Predecessor to XZ format using similar algorithm but older container format. Better compression than GZIP and BZIP2 but superseded by XZ/LZMA2. Still encountered in older Linux distributions and legacy archives. Slower compression than GZIP but better ratios (similar to XZ). Modern systems prefer TAR.XZ over TAR.LZMA. Legacy format for accessing older compressed archives from 2000s era.
LZO/TAR.LZO - Lempel-Ziv-Oberhumer compression format prioritizing speed over compression ratio. TAR.LZO is TAR archive compressed with LZO. Extremely fast compression and decompression (faster than GZIP) with moderate ratios (30-50% reduction). Popular in real-time applications, live systems, and scenarios requiring instant decompression. Used by some Linux kernels and embedded systems. Common in backup solutions prioritizing speed. Perfect for temporary compression, live CD/USB systems, and high-speed data transfer. Trade-off: larger files than GZIP/BZIP2/XZ but much faster processing.
Z/TAR.Z - Unix compress format from 1985 using LZW (Lempel-Ziv-Welch) algorithm. TAR.Z is TAR archive compressed with compress command. Historical Unix compression format predating GZIP. Patent issues (until 2003) led to GZIP replacing it. Legacy format with poor compression by modern standards. Rarely used today except in very old Unix systems and historical archives. If you encounter .Z or .tar.Z files, convert to modern formats (TAR.GZ, TAR.XZ) for better compression and wider support. Important for accessing ancient Unix archives from 1980s-1990s.
Specialized Formats
ISO Image - ISO 9660 disk image format containing exact sector-by-sector copy of optical media (CD/DVD/Blu-ray). Standard format for distributing operating systems, software installations, and bootable media. Can be mounted as virtual drive without physical disc. Contains complete filesystem including boot sectors, metadata, and file structures. Essential for Linux distributions, system recovery media, and software archives. Used by burning software, virtual machines, and media servers. Universal standard with support in all major operating systems for mounting and burning.
Cabinet Archive - Microsoft's compression format for Windows installers and system files. Used extensively in Windows setup packages, driver installations, and system updates. Supports multiple compression algorithms (DEFLATE, LZX, Quantum), split archives, and digital signatures. Built into Windows with native extraction support. Common in software distribution for Windows applications, particularly older installers and Microsoft products. Maintains Windows-specific attributes and can store multiple files with folder structures. Part of Windows since 1996.
AR Archive - Unix archiver format (1970s) originally for creating library archives (.a files). Simple format storing multiple files with basic metadata (filename, modification time, permissions). Used primarily for static libraries in Unix development (.a extension). Foundation format for DEB packages (Debian packages are AR archives containing control and data). Minimal compression support (none by default). Essential for Unix library management and Debian package structure. Standard tool 'ar' included on all Unix/Linux systems. Simple and reliable for static file collections.
Debian Package - software package format for Debian, Ubuntu, and derivative Linux distributions. Contains compiled software, installation scripts, configuration files, and dependency metadata. Used by APT package manager (apt, apt-get commands). Actually a special AR archive containing control files and data archives. Essential format for Debian-based Linux software distribution. Includes pre/post-installation scripts, version management, and dependency resolution. Standard packaging for thousands of Ubuntu/Debian applications. Can be inspected and extracted as regular archive.
RPM Package - Red Hat Package Manager format for Red Hat, Fedora, CentOS, SUSE, and derivative Linux distributions. Contains compiled software, installation metadata, scripts, and dependency information. Used by YUM and DNF package managers. Includes GPG signature support for security verification. Standard for Red Hat Enterprise Linux ecosystem. Supports pre/post-installation scriptlets, file verification, and rollback capabilities. Essential format for RHEL-based Linux software distribution. Can be extracted as archive to inspect contents without installation.
JAR Archive - Java Archive format based on ZIP compression for packaging Java applications. Contains compiled Java classes (.class files), application resources, and manifest metadata. Standard distribution format for Java applications and libraries. Supports digital signatures for code verification. Can be executable (runnable JAR files with Main-Class manifest). Perfect for Java application deployment, library distribution, and plugin systems. Compatible with ZIP tools but includes Java-specific features. Essential format for Java development and deployment since 1996.
ARJ Archive - legacy DOS compression format by Robert Jung (1991). Popular in DOS and early Windows era for its good compression ratio and ability to create multi-volume archives. Supports encryption, damage protection, and archive comments. Largely obsolete today, replaced by ZIP, RAR, and 7Z. Still encountered in legacy systems and old software archives. Requires ARJ or compatible decompression software. Historical format important for accessing old DOS/Windows archives from 1990s. Better converted to modern formats for long-term accessibility.
LHA Archive - Japanese compression format (also LZH) developed in 1988, extremely popular in Japan and with Amiga users. Uses LZSS and LZHUF compression algorithms providing good ratios. Common for Japanese software distribution in 1990s. Supports archive headers, directory structures, and file attributes. Legacy format now mostly replaced by modern alternatives. Still encountered in retro computing, Japanese software archives, and Amiga communities. Requires LHA/LZH compatible software for extraction. Important for accessing Japanese and Amiga software archives.
CPIO Archive - Copy In/Out archive format from Unix (1970s) for creating file archives. Simpler than TAR, often used for system backups and initramfs/initrd creation. Standard format for Linux initial RAM disk images. Supports multiple formats (binary, ASCII, CRC). Better handling of special files and device nodes than TAR. Common in system administration, bootloader configurations, and kernel initrd images. Universal on Unix/Linux systems. Essential for system-level archiving and embedded Linux systems. Works well for streaming operations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a TAR file and why is it widely used on Unix and Linux systems?
A TAR file (short for Tape Archive) is a container format that bundles multiple files and directories into a single archive without applying compression by default. Originally designed for backup operations on magnetic tape drives, TAR remains a foundational tool in Unix-like environments because it preserves directory structure, file permissions, symlinks, ownership metadata, and timestamps—details critical for system backups, software packaging, and server deployments.
Unlike ZIP or RAR, TAR itself does not shrink file sizes; it simply groups files together. Compression is typically applied afterwards through external algorithms like Gzip, Bzip2, XZ, LZMA, or Zstandard, creating compound formats such as .tar.gz, .tar.bz2, or .tar.xz. This separation of archiving and compression gives developers flexibility and control over performance, speed, and compression ratio.
TAR’s simplicity, predictable structure, and robust metadata preservation make it the default archive format in Linux distributions, web servers, Docker images, software sources, configuration backups, and shell scripting workflows.
Why does TAR not compress files by itself?
TAR was originally designed to sequentially write data to tape, where compression wasn’t part of the process. Its purpose was to maintain file structure rather than reduce file size.
The Unix philosophy of modularity influenced TAR’s design—archiving and compression were treated as separate steps. Users can pair TAR with any external compression algorithm based on their needs.
This design allows TAR to remain flexible, letting advanced users choose between speed-focused compressors (gzip), high-ratio compressors (xz), or modern balanced compressors (zstd).
Why do TAR archives preserve file permissions and metadata so well?
TAR stores Unix permissions such as read/write/execute flags, user/group ownership, and symbolic link data—crucial for script execution and server migration.
It also retains timestamps, directory hierarchy, device nodes, FIFO pipes, and extended attributes, allowing fully accurate restoration of system environments.
This makes TAR ideal for packaging source code, configuration directories, container data, and backup systems that depend on exact reconstruction.
Why do TAR extraction commands sometimes overwrite existing files?
TAR assumes you are restoring a directory structure exactly as it was archived. It replaces files unless instructed otherwise.
Most TAR tools do not prompt for confirmation unless additional flags are used, prioritizing performance and automation.
Overwriting can be prevented using flags like --keep-old-files or extracting into an empty directory.
Why can TAR archives become extremely large?
A TAR file contains raw data plus metadata without compression, so size equals the total size of all included files.
Users often confuse .tar with compressed tarballs (.tar.gz, .tar.xz), expecting compression when none is applied.
Backups containing logs, VM images, or uncompressed media can expand TAR archives dramatically.
Why do some TAR files extract slowly?
If paired with heavy compression (e.g., xz or lzma), decompression may require significant CPU time.
Huge archives require sequential reading, meaning extraction must process all data even for a single file.
Slow IO devices—especially external drives or old HDDs—dramatically increase extraction time.
Why do some TAR files report 'unexpected EOF' or corruption?
Interrupted downloads or partial uploads result in incomplete TAR streams, which cannot be parsed fully.
Missing blocks or mismatched trailer records cause extraction tools to stop due to structural errors.
Corruption is more likely in compressed tarballs because a single damaged byte can break the entire stream.
Why do TAR archives behave differently on Windows?
Windows historically lacked native support for Unix permissions and symbolic links, leading to incomplete metadata restoration.
Tools like WinRAR or 7-Zip can extract TAR but do not always replicate Unix file semantics accurately.
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) finally added full TAR compatibility, restoring proper permission handling.
Can TAR archives be repaired?
Partially—if corruption occurs near the end of the file, many extracted files remain usable.
Tools like tar --ignore-zeros or manual repair with dd can sometimes salvage content.
Compressed tarballs (.gz/.xz) are harder to repair because compression damage propagates.
Why do developers prefer TAR for packaging software?
TAR ensures reproducible builds where file order, permissions, and metadata remain consistent across environments.
It integrates seamlessly with Unix tools, package managers, and automated pipelines.
Many open-source ecosystems—Linux kernels, Python packages, Node modules—standardize on TAR for distribution.
Why do Docker images and container layers use TAR?
TAR preserves Unix permissions and symlink behavior, essential for containerized environments.
Its sequential structure fits perfectly with layered filesystem concepts used by Docker and OCI images.
It allows deterministic unpacking on any host system with consistent results.
Is TAR safe for sensitive data?
No—TAR itself supports no encryption, meaning contents remain fully readable unless wrapped in an encrypted layer.
To secure TAR archives, users must apply external encryption such as GPG, OpenSSL, or encrypted containers.
Encrypted tarballs (e.g., .tar.gz.gpg) are common in secure backup systems.
Why does TAR list directories instead of compressing files individually?
TAR writes files sequentially, preserving their order and structure for exact restoration.
This approach allows TAR to remain fast, predictable, and compatible with streaming workflows.
It also enables efficient piping, such as tar -cvf - directory | ssh user@server tar -xvf -.
Is TAR outdated compared to ZIP or 7Z?
No—TAR remains essential in Unix ecosystems due to metadata support, scripting integrations, and flexible compression.
Its simple structure ensures long-term accessibility and easy repair of partially corrupted archives.
Because TAR pairs with any compression algorithm, it remains future-proof as compression technology evolves.
Should I use TAR as my main archiving format?
Use TAR if you work in Linux, macOS, servers, programming, DevOps, or need accurate metadata preservation.
Combine TAR with gzip, xz, or zstd for optimal compression, depending on speed vs. size preferences.
For cross-platform sharing with non-technical users, ZIP may be easier—but for technical workflows, TAR remains the superior choice.