[SOLVED] How to extract a tar file ?

gardenair · 03-12-2011, 09:57 AM

hi,
I have downloaded squid2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz file. I want to untar the file. The file is located in /home.
Kindly guide me that how can I untar the file so I may install the software.
thanks
garden

EricTRA · 03-12-2011, 10:00 AM

Hello,

Tar understands the gz extension so just untar it:

Code:

tar xvf squid2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz

That will create a directory in your /home with the contents of the package in it. For more information on tar and how to use it have a look at the man page:

Code:

man tar

Kind regards,

Eric

repo · 03-12-2011, 10:01 AM

First, it's better to use the package manager to install software.
If however the latest squid isn't available, and you really need it:

open a terminal
type

Code:

tar xvzf squid2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz

cd to the created directory and read the readme files

Kind regards

MS3FGX · 03-12-2011, 10:01 AM

You would use a command like:

Code:

tar -zxvf squid2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz

That will decompress and extract the entire archive, and display a listing of what files were extracted.

EricTRA · 03-12-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by repo

First, it's better to use the package manager to install software.

Hi repo,

You're right to advice that but the OP wants to compile Squid with some options that don't come with the default installation performed through a package manager. I happen to encounter his previous thread asking how to recompile Squid to include some option he doesn't have.

Kind regards,

Eric

gardenair · 03-12-2011, 10:50 AM

thanks all of you for the replies. Well after downloading squid-2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz in my /home I create a new folder folder and copy keep the file in it simple.

Code:

[roor@localhost myfolder]#ls 
squid-2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz
[roor@localhost myfolder]#

Now I use tar command to untar

Code:

[roor@localhost myfolder]# tar cfv squid-2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz
tar:Cowardly refusing to create an empty archive
Try tar --help for more infomation
[roor@localhost myfolder]#

The code is correct which I write. I have also read the man but still confuse why it is not untar the file. I also use the rest for the command but it simply give an error message.
Kindly try from your own endby download the same file ,guide me how to untar it so I may follow it

thanks a lot for help
garden

repo · 03-12-2011, 10:53 AM

You need the xvzf option, since it's a tar.gz file

Code:

tar xvzf squid-2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz

the cvf is to create an archive.

Kind regards

knudfl · 03-12-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

You need the xvzf option

tar xvf will do ( Unless you are using CentOS4 and older ..)

From /usr/doc/tar-1.15.1/NEWS , slack 10.2

Quote:

version 1.15 - Sergey Poznyakoff, 2004-12-20

* Compressed archives are recognised automatically, it is no longer
necessary to specify -Z, -z, or -j options to read them.
( Thus, you can now run `tar tf archive.tar.gz'.)

repo · 03-12-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

tar xvf will do

Old habits won't die ;-)
Thank you

Kind regards

gardenair · 03-12-2011, 11:07 AM

well still no success

Code:

[roor@localhost myfolder]# tar xvzf squid-2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz

gzip: stdin: not in gzip format
tar: child returned status 1
tar: myfolder: not found in archive
tar: Error exit delayed from previous error
[roor@localhost myfolder]#

I also have tried xvf option but nothing happen...I think If you do it in your pc you will much batter guide me.
thanks again for the guidance.
garden

MS3FGX · 03-12-2011, 11:12 AM

Perhaps the download is corrupt? Did you try to download it again? Is there an MD5 sum you can verify?

gardenair · 03-12-2011, 11:41 AM

Well the download size is also ok. This time i download bz2 file and use following command

Code:

[roor@localhost myfolder]# tar xjf squid-2.6.STABLE23.tar.bz2
[roor@localhost myfolder]#

No error and it create a new folder with same name containg all files in it.
But the issue is same it as why [roor@localhost myfolder]# tar xvzf squid-2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz
give error ?

The download file is correct according to its size.I am really confuse where is the issue

colucix · 03-12-2011, 11:49 AM

What is the output of the following command?

Code:

file squid-2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz

This should tell you if it is actually a gzipped file or just an uncompressed tar archive. In any case, without using the unnecessary -z option (as already pointed out), try

Code:

tar tvf squid-2.6.STABLE23.tar.gz

Note the t option: it should list the content of the archive without extracting it.

EricTRA · 03-12-2011, 11:50 AM

Hello,

As pointed out in post #2 the tar command can handle regular compressed files (the gz extension which implicates it's compressed with the GNU zip algorithm), hence you don't need to specify the z when you extract those files but just:

Code:

tar xvf <yourfile>

where the x stands for eXtract, the v for verbose and the f to indicate using a file. When you used the z flag you got the error because it's not necessary to use it.
When you downloaded the other type (bz2 extension which indicates it's compressed using BZip2 algorithm which is different from GNU zip) you needed to explicitly tell tar so with the z option.

So, basically,

gz = no need for the z parameter since tar itself handles it.
bz2 = you do need to indicate by using the z parameter which algorithm to use.

I hope that clears up some things.

Kind regards,

Eric

colucix · 03-12-2011, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricTRA

Hello,When you downloaded the other type (bz2 extension which indicates it's compressed using BZip2 algorithm which is different from GNU zip) you needed to explicitly tell tar so with the z option.

Hi Eric! Actually it is the j option for bzip2 compression algorithm. On my system, using GNU tar 1.23, it is not necessary anymore, as well.