What Does Untar Mean when Dealing with Computer Files?

TAR is an archiving method that gets its name from the way computers used to store information on magnetic tape. The tar command is used now to archive files on various media. The "t" in "tar" stands for tape and the "ar" is short for archive. To "untar" is to extract the tar archive so that its contents can be viewed.

1. File Extensions

   • Files that you can untar can have a variety of file extentions. Extensions for tar files include .tar, .tar.gz and .tgz. These tar file extensions indicate whether the file is in a compressed or uncompressed state. A tar file extension with a "z" at the end has been compressed. For example; an application such as the GNU Gzip compression utility will add a "z" to the end of a tar file extension after file compression takes place.

   Untar Applications

   • The application you use to untar a file depends on both its structure and where it's being used. Pkunzip, for example, will extract Unix tar files for PC users.

   Linux and Unix Command

   • Programmers who use Linux and Unix systems may refer to the word "untar" as a command. The "untar" command deploys tar files and specifies the directory where they will extract. This command enables programmers to reference and use large amounts of information stored in alternate server subdirectories.

   Summary

   • To untar a file essentially means that you are reversing the process of creating a tar file. The contents of the tar file archive are restored to their original state in the location of your choice. Regardless of whether the file is compressed or uncompressed, you won't have complete access to what's inside until you untar it.