tar

Introduction to Tar

The Tar program provides the ability to create tar archives, as well as various other kinds of manipulation. For example, you can use Tar on previously created archives to extract files, to store additional files, or to update or list files which were already stored.

Initially, tar archives were used to store files conveniently on magnetic tape. The name "Tar" comes from this use; it stands for tape archiver. Despite the utility's name, Tar can direct its output to available devices, files, or other programs (using pipes), it can even access remote devices or files (as archives).

Additional information about the project, including links to the project development page and file downloads, is available from the GNU software directory.

Downloading Tar

Stable versions of GNU Tar can be found on in the subdirectory /gnu/tar/ on your favorite GNU mirror. For other ways to obtain Tar, please read How to get GNU Software

Latest intermediate snapshots are available from tar snapshot ftp. Alpha releases are distributed from alpha.gnu.org.

For information about CVS access, alpha releases, patches, etc., please see the project's home page.