How to Untar Files to a Directory

The process of extracting tar files to a directory is a crucial skill for anyone working with compressed archives on Linux or Unix systems. In this article, we will explore how to untar both popular formats and extract the contents of the compressed archive to a different directory.

One of the key benefits of using tar is its ability to compress files using various compression algorithms, including gzip. When extracting tar files, it's essential to specify the directory where you want to extract the files. This can be done using the `-C` option followed by the path to the desired directory.

For example, if you want to untar a `tgz` file named `example.tgz` to a directory called `extracted`, you would use the following command:

```

tar -xvf example.tgz -C extracted

```

The `-xvf` options tell tar to extract the files in verbose mode and display the progress and file list.

Tar is often used in conjunction with other commands, such as gzip, to compress and decompress files. In fact, the term 'untar' is often used to describe the process of extracting compressed tar files, including `tar.gz` and `tgz` files.

However, it's essential to note that there is no standalone 'untar' command in Linux or Unix. Instead, you need to use the tar command with specific options or arguments to extract the contents of a tar archive.

If you're using Windows, you can use 7-Zip to extract tar files. 7-Zip is a free and open-source file archiver that supports many compression formats, including tar, gzip, and bzip2.

To extract a tar file using 7-Zip, simply right-click on the file and select 'Extract Here' or 'Extract to folder.' You can also use the command-line interface by typing `7z x filename.tar` at the prompt.

In conclusion, untaring files to a directory is a simple process that requires minimal technical expertise. By using tar and 7-Zip commands, you can easily extract compressed archives and access their contents. Whether you're working with Linux or Windows, knowing how to untar files is an essential skill for anyone who needs to work with compressed data.

Untar to directory