Linux Shells by Example

tar—stores and retrieves files from an archive file, normally a tape device

tar [ - ] c|r|t|u|x [ bBefFhilmopvwX0134778 ] [ tarfile ]
   [ blocksize ] [ exclude-file ] [ -I include-file ]
   filename1 filename2 … -C directory filenameN …

tar is an archiving program designed to store and extract files from an archive file, called a tarfile. The tarfile can be either a regular UNIX/Linux file or a tape device. Often used for saving files on a floppy disk. (See Linux man page for a complete list of options.)

Example A.59.

1 tar cvf /dev/diskette . 2 tar tvf /dev/fd0 3 tar xvf /dev/fd0 4 tar cvf mytarfile .

Explanation

1. Sends all files under the present working directory (the dot directory) to a floppy on tape device /dev/diskette, and prints the ...