Linux Tutorial: How To View The Content Of A Tar File?

Are you looking for a tutorial on how to view the content of a tar file? If so, you are in the right place. In this Linux tutorial, we will be discussing how to view the content of a tar file using the common Linux command-line tools.

Do you want to know what’s inside a tar file without extracting the whole content? Are you looking to view only the files that are inside the tar file? Read on to find out how!

A tar file is a single file that contains multiple files. It is common to use tar files when compressing large files or when transferring them over the internet. Tar files are also useful when backing up files or creating an archive.

In this tutorial, we will be discussing how to view the content of a tar file using the tar command. We will also discuss how to view the content of a tar file without extracting the whole content. Read on to learn more!

By the end of this tutorial, you will know how to view the content of a tar file and how to view only the files that are inside the tar file. So, if you are looking for a solution to your tar file viewing problem, this article can be your guide.

Ready to learn how to view the content of a tar file? Dive in and read this tutorial to the end to find out more!

What is Tar?

Tar is an archive file format which is commonly used in Linux and Unix operating systems. It is used for bundling a number of files into a single unit for easy of storage and transport. The tar file is composed of one or more files which have been compressed and bundled together into a single unit. Tar files are often referred to as “tarballs”, and they can be used for a variety of purposes, including backing up files, software installation, and more.

Viewing the Contents of a Tar File

In order to view the contents of a tar file, you will need to use the “tar” command in the Linux command line. This command can be used to view the contents of a tar file without extracting the contents first. It is a good way to check the integrity of a tar file before extracting it.

Using the Tar Command

The syntax for the “tar” command is as follows:

tar -tvf filename.tar

The “-tvf” flags mean “list”, “verbose” and “file”, respectively. The “list” flag will cause the tar command to list the contents of the tar file, the “verbose” flag will cause the tar command to display more information about the contents of the tar file, and the “file” flag will tell the tar command to use the specified tar file as input. The “filename.tar” argument is the name of the tar file that you want to view.

Example Output

When the tar command is used, the following output is displayed:

-rw-r--r-- username/username 0 2018-10-15 16:44 file1.txt-rw-r--r-- username/username 0 2018-10-15 16:45 file2.txt-rw-r--r-- username/username 0 2018-10-15 16:46 file3.txt

The output shows the name of each file, the file size, the date and time of the last modification, and the permissions of the file. You can also see the username and group of the owner of the file.

Extracting Files from a Tar File

In order to extract files from a tar file, you can use the “tar” command with the “-xvf” flags. The “x” flag tells the tar command to extract the files from the tar file, the “v” flag tells the tar command to be verbose, and the “f” flag tells the tar command to use the specified tar file as input.

The syntax for extracting files from a tar file is as follows:

tar -xvf filename.tar

Suggestions to Improve Coding Skills

In order to improve coding skills related to Linux, it is important to practice using the command line regularly. Reading books and tutorials related to Linux and Unix systems is also a great way to learn more about the command line and how to use it effectively. Additionally, it is important to keep up with the latest Linux news and developments, as this can help to stay informed about new features and tools that can be used to improve coding skills.

It is also important to get involved in the Linux community, as this can provide valuable insights and feedback from experienced users. Finally, it is important to make use of open source tools, such as Git, which can be used to store, share and manage code. This can be a great way to collaborate with other developers and to learn from their experiences.