In this article, I will explain about compression and decompression of files in Linux. Here we will learn all methods of compressing and decompressing files in Linux. So first of all, you must have a question in your mind that, "Why do we need to compress or decompress a file or folder?" if you have any idea about then mention it in the comment section, and if not then continue reading.
First I will tell you about What is Compression in Linux? Guys compress means to reduce the size of the file. For example, if you have a file with a huge data size then for you it will be difficult to upload and to share it, anyone. So By the help of some compression tools, we can reduce the size of that file. And we can make that file of a small size. the important thing about the compressed file is this, It covers a small size in comparison to the original file. So it is necessary to compress a big data file into small size files.
Now it's time to know about decompression, decompression is just the opposite of compression. Because decompression is the process to convert a compressed file to the original file. For example, if you have a compressed file you want to extract its original file from it then it is said as the decompression of files.
Que. - What is ZIP?
Ans. - ZIP is the archive file format used to reduce the size of the original size. Normally we can say it is a compressor tool to compress big data files in a small size. The extension of the ZIP archive is .zip.
Que. - What is GZIP?
Ans. - GZIP is also a file compressor-like zipping. But it takes more time than zipping to compress a file. But the important thing is that the compressed file with GZIP covers less space than ZIP. The extension of it is .gz
Que. - What is BGIP2?
Ans. - BZIP2 is also a file compressor-like zip. BZIP2 takes more time than ZIP and GZIP to compress the file. So it is a high time consumer in compression of the file. The extension of BZIP2 is .bz2
Que. - What is TAR?
Ans. - TAR is the archive command which is used to combine no. of files in a very low time. So normally it is to combine multiple files at the same time. Tar is also used with Compressor tools like gzip, bzip2, etc.
Let's learn the ways of Compressing and Decompressing a File in Linux.
Suppose you have a file named deepak.txt
Note: - i. Zip is the file compressor.
ii. deepak.zip is the new name given to the compressed file. and
iii. deepak.txt is the original file.
1. Compression and Decompression with ZIP
[root@localhost ~]# zip deepak.zip deepak.txt[root@localhost ~]#unzip deepak.zip
2. Compression and Decompression with GZIP
[root@localhost ~]# gzip deepak.txt[root@localhost ~]# gunzip deepak.gz
( Note : gzip automatically gives name with extension .gz at end name of the file.)
3. Compression and Decompression with BZIP2
[root@localhost ~]# bzip2 deepak.txt[root@localhost ~]# bunzip2 deepak.bz2
( Note : bzip2 also gives name with extension .bz2 at end name of the file.)
Combining Compressed File with TAR
Let's Learn Ways of Combining And Compressing Multiple Files with Tar
Suppose you have multiple files named deepak.txt deepak.pdf deepak.exe
Note: - i. Tar is the file combiner/archive format.
ii. deepak.tar is the new name given to the combined file. and
iii.-cvf is used to combine the multiple files.
iv. -tvf is used to watch the combine archive files.
v. -xvf is used to uncombine the archive files.
1. Combine Multiple files with TAR
[root@localhost ~]#tar -cvf deepak.tar deepak.txt deepak.pdf deepak.exe[root@localhost ~]#tar -tvf deepak.tar[root@localhost ~]#tar -xvf deepak.tar
2. Combination file with TAR and GZIP
Note - Both .tar.gz and .tgz are extensions for this combination. We have to use only one of these.
[root@localhost ~]#tar -cvzf deepak.tar.gz/tgz deepak.txt deepak.pdf deepak.exe[root@localhost ~]#tar -tvzf deepak.tar.gz/tgz[root@localhost ~]#tar -xvzf deepak.tar.gz/tgz
3. Combination of TAR with BZIP2
Note - Both .tar.bz2 and .tbz2 are extension for this combination. We have to use only one of these.
[root@localhost ~]#tar -cvjf deepak.tar.bz2/tbz2 deepak.txt deepak.pdf deepak.exe[root@localhost ~]#tar -tvjf deepak.tar.bz2/tbz2[root@localhost ~]#tar -xvjf deepak.tar.b2/tbz2
In this post, we have learned how to compress, decompress, and combine the files in Linux through different methods. Guys if you have doubt or any query about this post then don't hesitate to contact me. And if you have any suggestions for me then please write to me the comment box. If you like my posts please share them with your friends.
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