gzip -r -c directory > archive.gz

pmora · 03-18-2015, 03:20 AM

SUSE 11. I have issued the command "gzip -r -c directory > archive.gz" over a complete directory tree. I've got no errors or warnings. I can decompress the gz file also without errors, but what I get is a single file which is the concat of all of the original files, including binaries, without posibility of splitting them into the original ones.

I suppose I've lost my files, no?.

Secondary question: why does gzip let me issue that destructive command?

TenTenths · 03-18-2015, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmora

I suppose I've lost my files, no?.

Surely you have the original files from before you ran the command or on a valid backup?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmora

Secondary question: why does gzip let me issue that destructive command?

Because you asked it to do so.

gzip is NOT an archive maker it's a file compressor. That's why you find .tar.gz files or .tgz files. Archives made with tar compressed with gzip

pmora · 03-18-2015, 04:12 AM

The gzip command was followed by a "rm -rf". But I have all backed up previously.

I knew that all, I had all already tested with "zip" command, but tried gzip, saw it compressed better, and changed the command without thinking too much.

I'd like gzip to have said "are you sure of concatting all files into one?" I would do if I had programmed gzip.

TenTenths · 03-18-2015, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmora

changed the command without thinking too much.

And that's your problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmora

I'd like gzip to have said "are you sure of concatting all files into one?" I would do if I had programmed gzip.

So because you change commands "without thinking too much" someone else should think for you?

pan64 · 03-18-2015, 04:25 AM

not to speak about rm -rf, gzip itself did not destroy your original files, but you.

pmora · 03-18-2015, 06:45 AM

So this is a forum for criticizing admins who make a mistake? I didn't know. I will deregister right now. Thanks for your time, and I hope you'll never "bark up the wrong tree" (I don't know wath it means, it's Instant Translator)

veerain · 03-18-2015, 10:19 AM

There are various levels of stating and forgiving. If you didn't feel it polite that may be subjective. A little bump does helps.

jpollard · 03-18-2015, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmora

The gzip command was followed by a "rm -rf". But I have all backed up previously.

I knew that all, I had all already tested with "zip" command, but tried gzip, saw it compressed better, and changed the command without thinking too much.

I'd like gzip to have said "are you sure of concatting all files into one?" I would do if I had programmed gzip.

You would find that not working very well in scripts, or cron - where there may be no user attached...