Was ist TAR? Vollständige Anleitung zum TAR-Format
Vollständiger Leitfaden zu TAR-Dateien - technische Details, Vor- und Nachteile, Anwendungsfälle und häufig gestellte Fragen
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What is it?
TAR (Tape Archive) is a file packaging format originating from Unix in the late 1970s. The name refers to its original purpose: archiving files to magnetic tape drives for backup. TAR bundles multiple files and directories into a single archive file while preserving file system metadata including file permissions, ownership, timestamps, hard links, and symbolic links - attributes that are essential in Unix and Linux environments but which ZIP archives do not reliably preserve.
A plain TAR file does not compress data - it only bundles files together, similar to how you might rubber-band a stack of papers. Compression is applied on top of the TAR archive using separate tools: gzip creates.tar.gz, bzip2 creates.tar.bz2, and xz creates.tar.xz. This separation of concerns (packaging vs. compression) is a Unix design philosophy. TAR archives are the universal distribution format for Linux software source code and system backups.
Technical Specifications
Pros & Cons
Advantages
Preserves file permissions, ownership, and symbolic links that are lost in ZIP and other Windows-centric formats.
The tar command is installed on every Unix, Linux, and macOS system by default.
TAR archives can be streamed directly through pipes, enabling network backup and compression without temporary files.
Pair with any compression tool (gzip, bzip2, xz, zstd) to get the exact speed-to-compression trade-off you need.
Disadvantages
A plain.tar file is often larger than the original files because it adds header overhead without reducing data size.
Extracting a single file from a TAR archive requires reading through the entire archive sequentially.
TAR is not natively supported on Windows outside of WSL and PowerShell, requiring third-party tools like 7-Zip.
Appending to a TAR archive adds duplicate entries for updated files rather than replacing them, which can cause confusion.
When to Use It
Here are the most common situations where TAR is the right choice:
Linux-Softwareverteilung
Open-source software releases are distributed as tar.gz or tar.xz source packages for compilation.
System-Backup
Use tar to create complete backups of Linux filesystem directories including all permissions and ownership metadata.
Docker-Image-Exporte
Docker exports container images as TAR archives using docker save.
Datenübertragung zwischen Unix-Systemen
TAR is the standard way to package files for transfer between Unix/Linux systems without losing filesystem attributes.
How to open a TAR file
TAR files, commonly used in Unix and Linux environments, can be handled by a variety of software tools ranging from professional applications to free and open-source options. Professional tools often provide advanced features for managing large archives, while free and open-source solutions cater to users looking for straightforward extraction and viewing capabilities. Browser-based tools offer convenience for quick access without installation, while built-in system utilities provide basic functionality for users who prefer not to use third-party software.
When choosing software for TAR files, key decision factors include the fidelity of file handling, whether the tool supports editing or is limited to viewing, and the overall cost model. Platform compatibility is also crucial, as some tools are restricted to specific operating systems. Additionally, users should consider their export needs, as some applications allow for conversion to other formats, which can be beneficial when sharing files with users who may not have TAR support.
WinRAR 6.20
WinRAR is a powerful archive manager that supports TAR files among various other formats. It allows users to create, manage, and extract TAR archives with high fidelity, ensuring that file permissions and metadata are preserved during the process.
- Create and extract TAR archives
- Preserve file permissions and metadata
- Multi-volume archive support
- Strong AES-256 encryption
- Integrated file repair tool
- Robust compression algorithms
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive format support
- Paid software after trial period
- Limited editing capabilities
Exportiert nach: ZIP, RAR, 7Z, ISO
Am besten für: Choose WinRAR for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for managing TAR files with advanced features.
Besuchen WinRAR →7-Zip 22.01
7-Zip is a free and open-source file archiver that excels in handling TAR files. It offers a high compression ratio and supports extraction and creation of TAR archives, making it a versatile tool for users who need to manage various archive formats.
- Create and extract TAR files
- High compression ratio
- Support for multi-format archives
- Command line interface for automation
- File integrity check
- Completely free and open-source
- Lightweight and efficient
- Strong community support
- Limited GUI compared to competitors
- Less intuitive for beginners
Exportiert nach: ZIP, GZ, TAR.GZ, WIM
Am besten für: 7-Zip is ideal for users seeking a free, powerful tool for managing TAR files without the need for extensive features.
Besuchen 7-Zip →The Unarchiver 4.3.0
The Unarchiver is a simple and effective tool for macOS users to extract TAR files and other archive formats. It focuses on ease of use, allowing users to quickly access the contents of TAR archives without complex settings or configurations.
- Extract TAR and other archive formats
- Support for various compression methods
- Integration with Finder for easy access
- Automatic file association
- Preserves original file structure
- User-friendly interface
- Quick extraction process
- Lightweight and efficient
- No archive creation capabilities
- Limited to macOS platform
Exportiert nach: N/A
Am besten für: The Unarchiver is perfect for macOS users who need a straightforward tool for extracting TAR files without additional features.
Besuchen The Unarchiver →PeaZip 9.2.0
PeaZip is a free file archiver that supports TAR file management among many other formats. It provides a graphical interface for creating and extracting TAR files, along with advanced features like file encryption and batch processing.
- Create and extract TAR files
- File encryption and secure deletion
- Batch processing for multiple files
- Customizable user interface
- Portable version available
- Feature-rich with encryption options
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Open-source with active development
- More complex interface for beginners
- Performance can vary with large files
Exportiert nach: ZIP, 7Z, ARC, GZ
Am besten für: PeaZip is suitable for users who need a versatile and feature-rich tool for handling TAR files, especially those who value security.
Besuchen PeaZip →Convert TAR Files
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Convert TAR Files