(tar)Write Verification

Comparing

Interactive Operation

Being Careful

Verifying Data as It is Stored
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   You can insure the accuracy of an archive by comparing files in the
system with archive members.  `tar' can compare an archive to the file
system as the archive is being written, to verify a write operation, or
can compare a previously written archive, to insure that it is up to
date.

   To check for discrepancies in an archive immediately after it is
written, use the `--verify' (`-W') option in conjunction with the
`--create' (`-c') operation.  When this option is specified, `tar'
checks archive members against their counterparts in the file system,
and reports discrepancies on the standard error.  In multi-volume
archives, each volume is verified after it is written, before the next
volume is written.

   To verify an archive, you must be able to read it from before the end
of the last written entry.  This option is useful for detecting data
errors on some tapes.  Archives written to pipes, some cartridge tape
drives, and some other devices cannot be verified.