tar

Introduction to Tar

The tar program provides the ability to create tar archives, as well as various other kinds of manipulation. For example, you can use tar on previously created archives to extract files, to store additional files, or to update or list files which were already stored.

Initially, tar archives were used to store files conveniently on magnetic tape. The name `tar' comes from this use; it stands for tape archiver. Despite the utility's name, tar can direct its output to available devices, files, or other programs (using pipes). tar may even access remote devices or files (as archives).

Online Manual is available at www.gnu.org/manual/tar/index.html

This package is also available for NetBSD.

Downloading Tar

Tar can be found on in the subdirectory /gnu/tar/ on your favorite GNU mirror. For other ways to obtain Tar, please read How to get GNU Software

Return to GNU's home page.

Please send FSF & GNU inquiries & questions to gnu@gnu.org. There are also other ways to contact the FSF.

Please send comments on these web pages to webmasters@www.gnu.org, send other questions to gnu@gnu.org.

Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.

Updated: 26 May 2000 bkuhn