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Creating Archives of Files

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This example shows you how to create an archive file in your working directory containing other files in the same directory. The three files you archive in this example are called `blues', `folk', and `jazz'. The archive file is called `records'. While the archive in this example is written to the file system, it could also be written to tape. (If you want to follow along with this and future examples, create a practice subdirectory containing files with these names. To create the directory, type `mkdir practice' at the system prompt. You can create the files using a text editor, such as emacs).

While in the directory containing the files you want to archive, list the directory's contents.

Type:

% cd practice
% ls 

The system responds:

blues	folk	jazz
%

This is to check that the files to be archived do in fact exist in the working directory, and to check that the archive name you have chosen isn't already in use. If it is, tar will overwrite the old archive and its contents will be lost.

Then,

• Create a new archive by giving `--create' (`-c') to tar.
• Explicitly name the archive file being created---`--file=archive-name' (`-f archive-name'). If you don't use this option tar will write the archive to the default storage device, which varies from system to system.
• Specify which files to put into the archive. If you don't specify any file name arguments, tar will archive everything in the working directory.

Type:

% tar --create --file=records blues folk jazz 

If you now list the contents of the working directory (`ls'), you will find the archive file listed as well as the files you saw previously.

% ls
blues folk jazz records
%

This example shows you how to create an archive file in the working directory containing other files in the working directory. The three files you archive in this example are called `blues', `folk', and `jazz'. The archive file is called `records'. While the archive in this example is written to the file system, it could also be written to any other device.

(If you want to follow along with this and future examples, create a directory called `practice' containing files called `blues', `folk' and `jazz'. To create the directory, type `mkdir practice' at the system prompt. It will probably be easiest to create the files using a text editor, such as Emacs.)

First, change into the directory containing the files you want to archive:

% cd practice

`~/practice' is now your working directory.

Then, check that the files to be archived do in fact exist in the working directory, and make sure there isn't already a file in the working directory with the archive name you intend to use. If you specify an archive file name that is already in use, tar will overwrite the old file and its contents will be lost.

To list the names of files in the working directory, type:

% ls

The system responds:

blues   folk    jazz
%

Then,

• Create a new archive by giving the `--create' (`-c') option to tar.

• Explicitly name the archive file being created---`--file=archive-name' (`-f archive-name'). If you don't use this option tar will write the archive to the default storage device, which varies from system to system.

  FIXME: this syntax may change.  OK now--check before printing
  

  tar interprets archive file names relative to the working directory. Make sure you have write access to the working directory before using tar.

• Specify which files to put into the archive (tar interprets file names relative to the working directory). If you don't use any name arguments, tar will archive everything in the working directory.

Type:

% tar --create --file=records blues folk jazz

If you now list the contents of the working directory (`ls'), you will find the archive file listed as well as the files you saw previously.

% ls
blues folk jazz records
%

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