(tar)Creating Archives of Files bis

Using tar in Verbose Mode bis

How to Create Archives

How to Create Archives

Creating Archives of Files
--------------------------

     *(This message will disappear, once this node revised.)*

   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
     %