Packing and compressing files is a common operation on Linux systems. Different packaging types are suitable for different purposes and needs. This article will introduce 5 common Linux packaging types in detail, including tar, gzip, bzip2, zip and 7z, as well as their characteristics, usage methods and applicable scenarios.
1. tar
tar (tape archive) is a common Linux packaging tool, which is mainly used to package multiple files and directories into a single file. tar doesn't compress files, it just groups them together for easy transfer or backup. Its features include:
- Lossless compression : tar does not compress files, so the packed file is the same size as the original file.
- Preserve permissions and metadata : tar preserves metadata such as permissions, owners, and timestamps of files.
- Ease of use : The syntax of the tar command is simple and easy to use.
Example usage:
# 打包文件和目录
tar -cvf archive.tar file1 file2 dir1
# 解包
tar -xvf archive.tar
2. gzip
gzip is a commonly used Linux compression tool, which can compress a single file. Gzip-compressed files .gzend with the extension. Its features include:
- High compression ratio : gzip uses the DEFLATE compression algorithm to obtain a higher compression ratio.
- Keep original file : gzip-compressed files keep the original file, just add the compression extension.
- File-by-file compression : gzip can only compress a single file, not multiple files.
Example usage:
# 压缩文件
gzip file
# 解压缩
gzip -d file.gz
3.bzip2
bzip2 is another commonly used Linux compression tool, which can provide higher compression ratio. Files compressed by bzip2 .bz2end with the extension. Its features include:
- Higher compression ratio : bzip2 uses Burrows-Wheeler Transform (BWT) and Move-To-Front (MTF) algorithms to obtain a higher compression ratio than gzip.
- Slow compression : bzip2 compresses slowly compared to gzip.
- File-by-file compression : bzip2 can only compress a single file, not multiple files.
Example usage:
# 压缩文件
bzip2 file
# 解压缩
bzip2 -d file.bz2
4. zip
zip is a widely used cross-platform compression tool that can pack and compress multiple files and directories. Zip-compressed files .zipend with the extension. Its features include:
- Multi-file packaging and compression : zip can pack multiple files and directories into a single compressed file.
- Cross-platform compatibility : The zip compression format is widely supported on different operating systems.
- Preserve permissions and metadata : zip preserves metadata such as the file's permissions, owner, and timestamp.
Example usage:
# 压缩文件和目录
zip archive.zip file1 file2 dir1
# 解压缩
unzip archive.zip
5.7z
7z is an open source compression tool with high compression ratio, which can pack and compress multiple files and directories. 7z compressed files .7zend with the extension. Its features include:
- High compression ratio : 7z uses the LZMA compression algorithm, which can obtain a very high compression ratio, which is higher than other compression tools.
- Support multiple compression formats : In addition to its own 7z format, 7z also supports a variety of other compression formats, such as zip, gzip, etc.
- Password protection : 7z supports setting passwords for compressed files to protect the security of files.
Example usage:
# 压缩文件和目录
7z a archive.7z file1 file2 dir1
# 解压缩
7z x archive.7z
in conclusion
Packing and compressing files is a common operation in Linux systems, which helps to reduce file size, improve transfer efficiency and save storage space. This article describes 5 common types of Linux packaging, including tar, gzip, bzip2, zip, and 7z. Each type has its characteristics and applicable scenarios. According to actual needs, choosing an appropriate packaging tool and compression format can help improve work efficiency and ensure file security. Whether packing multiple files or compressing a single file, Linux provides a variety of options that allow users to operate flexibly according to their needs.