How to compress a Linux folder It is a simple and useful task to save space on your operating system. Compressing a folder allows you to reduce its size and, in turn, makes it easier to store and transfer. In this article, we will show you how compress a folder on Linux using the tar command. This command is widely used and will allow you to perform this action quickly and efficiently. Keep reading to discover how to carry out This process in a few simple steps.
– Step by step ➡️ How to compress a Linux folder
How to compress a Linux folder
Here we will teach you how to compress a folder in Linux step by step.
- Step 1: Open the linux terminal on your system.
- Step 2: Navigate to the location of the folder you wish to compress using the »cd» command.
- Step 3: Once you are at the folder location, use the following command to compress the folder:
"`
tar -czvf file_name.tar.gz folder_name
"`
- tar: this is the command used to create compressed files on Linux.
- -czvf: These are the flags we use to specify how we want to compress the folder.
- file_name.tar.gz: this is what will be written as the name for the compressed file.
- folder_name: This is the name of the folder you want to compress.
Remember that you can use this compressed file to transfer the folder to another system or to store it in a more efficient way. Compressing a folder helps you save disk space and better organize your files.
You've already learned how to compress a folder in Linux! Now you can use this knowledge to optimize your daily tasks on the operating system.
Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions about “How to compress a Linux folder”
1. What is a Linux folder?
A Linux folder is a directory used in and operating system Linux to store files and other directories.
2. Why do I need to zip a Linux folder?
Compressing a Linux folder can help you save storage space and make it easier to transfer or share files.
3. What is the most common way to compress a folder in Linux?
The most common way to compress a folder on Linux is using the command tar.
4. How do I compress a folder using the tar command?
- Open a terminal on Linux.
- Runthe command tar -cvzf file_name.tar.gz zip_folder.
5. What does the tar command do to compress a folder?
The command tar creates a tar file containing all files and directories in the specified folder and then compresses it using the gzip algorithm.
6. How do I unzip a compressed file in Linux?
- Open a terminal in Linux.
- Run the command tar -xzvf file_name.tar.gz to unzip the file.
7. What does the tar command do when decompressing a file?
The command tar -xzvf extract the files and directories from a file compressed in tar.gz format, thus restoring the original folder structure.
8. What other compression formats can I use on Linux?
In addition to tar.gz, some other popular compression formats on Linux are zip and gzip.
9. How do I compress a folder in zip format?
- Open a terminal in Linux.
- Run the command zip -r file_name.zip zip_folder.
10. How do I unzip a zip file on Linux?
- Open a terminal in Linux.
- Run the command unzip file_name.zip to unzip the file.
I am Sebastián Vidal, a computer engineer passionate about technology and DIY. Furthermore, I am the creator of tecnobits.com, where I share tutorials to make technology more accessible and understandable for everyone.