tar (computing)

In <a href="/facts/Computing/Kghtm9fX">computing</a>, tar is a computer software utility for collecting many files into one <a href="/facts/Archive_file/u7BIXv7D">archive file</a>, often referred to as a tarball, for <a href="/facts/Software_distribution/Q0Qh8qYj">distribution</a> or backup purposes. The name is derived from "tape archive", as it was originally developed to write data to sequential <a href="/facts/Input/output/WQTE8Jas">I/O</a> devices with no file system of their own, such as devices that use <a href="/facts/Magnetic_tape/wj6IDTR1">magnetic tape</a>. The archive data sets created by tar contain various <a href="/facts/File_system/FdPm90uc">file system</a> parameters, such as name, timestamps, ownership, file-access permissions, and <a href="/facts/Directory_(computing)/VLtLcEXY">directory</a> organization. <a href="/facts/POSIX/mQkSt234">POSIX</a> abandoned tar in favor of <a href="/facts/Pax_(command)/dPXpJaas">pax</a>, yet tar sees continued widespread use.

tar (computing) open-in-new

tar (computing)