TAR
What is TAR?
TAR (Tape Archive) is a file format used to combine multiple files into a single archive without compression. Originally designed for tape backup systems, TAR has evolved into a standard archiving format, particularly popular in Unix and Linux systems, often used in combination with compression tools to create compressed archives.
The Digital Time Capsule
TAR might be one of computing's oldest archive formats, but it's still heavily used today because it does one thing really well: creating perfect copies of file systems. Originally designed for backing up to tape drives (that's what the 'T' in TAR stands for), it treats files like boxes in a storage unit - packing them one after another while keeping detailed notes about everything, including permissions, timestamps, and ownership.
While TAR doesn't compress files itself, it works perfectly with compression tools like Gzip, which is why you often see files ending in .tar.gz or .tgz. This combination of faithful preservation and simple design makes TAR particularly valuable for system backups and software distribution, especially in the Linux world.
Did You Know?
The common file extension '.tgz' was created because of old Windows systems that could only handle three-letter file extensions. Since '.tar.gz' (meaning "TAR file compressed with gzip") was too long, someone shortened it to '.tgz'. This abbreviation became so popular that it's still widely used today, even though modern systems can handle longer file extensions perfectly fine.
Format Characteristics
Understanding TAR's core features helps optimize its use:
Complete Backup
TAR (Tape ARchive) keeps every detail about your files when backing them up. Unlike ZIP, it preserves everything - file permissions, ownership, timestamps, and folder structures. This makes it perfect for system backups where you need an exact copy of everything, not just the file contents.
Simple Design
TAR stores files one after another, like a long string of tape. This straightforward approach makes it very reliable - if part of the archive gets damaged, the rest often remains readable. It's also easy to add new files to the end of the archive without rebuilding the whole thing, just like adding more boxes to the end of a storage shelf.
Wide Support
Despite being created in 1979 for tape drives, TAR still works everywhere from modern Linux systems to Windows. It can handle files larger than 8GB (which the original couldn't), store Unicode filenames, and work with various compression tools like gzip or bzip2. This combination of old-school reliability and modern features keeps TAR relevant for today's backup needs.
Common Applications
TAR serves various specific purposes in modern computing:
- Software Distribution: Many software packages use TAR format combined with compression (like .tar.gz or .tar.bz2) for distribution.
- Backup Creation: System administrators often use TAR for creating system backups due to its reliable preservation of file attributes.
- Data Archiving: Organizations use TAR for long-term data archiving, often combining it with compression tools.
FAQs
Why use TAR if it doesn't compress files?
TAR excels at combining files and preserving file system information, often used with separate compression tools for complete archiving solutions.
What's the difference between .tar and .tar.gz files?
.tar files are uncompressed archives, while .tar.gz files are TAR archives compressed with Gzip compression.