Info-ZIP (zip & unzip) — PKZIP compatible file archiver.

* * * *

[updated 2006-08-21]

"Compatible" does not equate to a cheap knockoff or clone in the case of Info-ZIP. It is format compatible with PKZIP – but the resemblance ends there. The command line syntax varies from PKZIP/UNZIP, and additional options have been introduced. Info-ZIP was developed primarily to provide cross-platform PKZIP compatibility across a variety of operating systems (DOS/Win, Unix, OS/2, Mac, VMS, Linux, Amiga, Acorn, SGI, Atari, etc.). Unlike PKZIP, it is a completely free program. Source code is also available.

Although ZIP still can't span a zip file across multiple floppies, it does most everything else as well as PKZIP (compression size, speed). ZIP has one compression method (deflation) and can store files without compression. Although creation of self-extracting EXEs is possible, it's not elegant – it adds 30K to file size, and creates a file potentially not readable by PKZIP compatible viewers.

ZIP packages contain other utilities that add or delete comments to zipfiles and split zipfiles. UNZIP packages contain other utilities that give detailed zipfile info, extract in a pipe, and create self-extracting archives. Encryption and decryption are now built in to the ZIP and UNZIP EXEs. WiZ combines ZIP and UNZIP with a Windows GUI.

ZIP and UNZIP packages for DOS contain both 16- and 32-bit versions of their programs, and docs. The 32-bit DOS versions require an 80386+, FPU or emulator, and a DOS Protected Mode Interface (CWSDPMI, or OS services). Note: While the DOS32 programs work under Win32, the -xN.* versions are better.

Released by Info-ZIP.org (1997-2006).

RK — High performance 32-bit archiver.

unrated

[added 2000-09-18, updated 2006-03-14]

RK is a high performance archiver, in versions for DOS and Win32 console. Although it lacks some basic maintenance features (e.g., no "delete file from archive" option), and is not optimized for speed, it possesses several attractive features:

• Outstanding compression statistics for a variety of file types and collections (see Archive Comparison Test). High compression is gained at the cost of speed.
• Both the DOS & Win versions can create self-extracting archives (SFXes) for DOS, Win32 GUI and Win32 console.
• Encryption options.
• Multiple volume support.
• Win9x LFN support.
• Script language: "Scripts can be added to archives to enable some automatic functionality, such as archive comments and self extractor defaults."

The DOS version is a 32-bit DJGPP build, and require 80386+, 4MB RAM, and a DOS Protected Mode Interface (CWSDPMI or other). SFX archives also require an 80386+ target system. However I've yet to get it working on a 386SX/20 w/8MB RAM, no success either compressing or decompressing with default options.

Both download files are packed SFXes. The DOS version is rigid, installing in C:/RK with no options. It's buggy too: An opening screen presents options to click OK to install, or Cancel, but they do not really exist, and pressing any key installs. The Windows version has the usual drive/dir select box.

Author: Malcom Taylor / M Software, New Zealand (2000).

2000-10-28: v1.04.1 alpha. Last command line version.

Go to M Software's Downloads page for older versions of RK in Italian, the latest Win GUI version, and other related tools.

UHARC — High performance file archiver / compressor.

* * * *

[added 2005-12-09]

UHARC is becoming a power-user's favorite, able to build large archives with high compression ratios. The number of files that can be compressed in a single job is limited only by the amount of memory available. Maximum total size of files (before compression) is 2GB. Compression speed is dependent on memory type – lots of physical memory (chip RAM) allows high speed, virtual memory (disk) is slow. Requires 80386+.

A few more features: Archives are "solid" – all files are first joined into one, before compressing – so it is not possible to unarchive, remove or add individual files, except by extracting and then re-creating an entire archive. Files may be compressed in any of five modes, or archived with no compression. Multimedia detection/compression supports audio and grapics file formats. Optional encryption password. Highly detailed, understandable manual..

The download package contains UHARC for DOS32 (with PMODE/W extender built in) and for Win32. Also included are DOS32 & Win32 versions of the unpacker UnUHARC, and a Windows module that creates SFXes (archives wrapped in self-extracting executables).

Usage: UHARC command [-switches..] archive[.uha] [files..@listfile..!exclude..]
---< Commands >----------------------------------------------------------------
 a  create archive and Add files         e  Extract files to current directory
 m  create archive and Move files        x  eXtract files with full pathname
 l  List files in archive                t  Test files in archive
---< Switches >----------------------------------------------------------------
 d<0..2>     Set display mode (0 = quiet, 1 = default, 2 = verbose)
 m<0..3,x,z> Set cmp.mode (0 = STORE, 1..3 = ALZ:fast..best, x = PPM, z = LZP)
 md<n>       Set dictionary size in KByte (must be power of 2 : 1 .. 32768)
 mm[-,+]     Disable/enable built-in multimedia detection/compression
 o[-,+,p]    Overwrite existing files (- = never, + = always, p = prompt)
 p<-,r,f,e>  Store (- = no, r = relative, f = full, e = excluded) pathnames
 ph[-,+]     Archive header encryption   |  ac[-,+]    Clear file archive attr
 pw[passwd]  Set password                |  ae<attr>   Set attr exclusion mask
 r[-,+]      Recurse subdirectories      |  b<n>       Set max filebuffer size
 t<dir>      Set extract target dir      |  bpb[-,+]   bpb instead of % ratio
 vm[-,+]     Set virtual memory usage    |  ed[-,+]    Store empty directories
 y[-,+]      Assume yes on all queries   |  lg<file>   Log output to <file>

Author: Uwe Herklotz, Germany (2005).

2005-10-01: v0.6b.

Download uharc06b.zip (464K).

Also interesting are some Windows GUI shells for UHARC: GUI UHARC and File Compress (both free for private, non-commercial use); and WinUHA (donationware).

IMP — Super tight and fast 32-bit archiver

* * * *

[added 2001-07-29, updated 2004-06-27]

This multi-purpose archiver compresses files very tightly and quickly. IMP can also unzip ZIP archives. Requires 80386+.

• Good compression stats for a wide variety of file types.
• Can automatically span a large archive across several disks (e.g., floppies) by creating multiple volumes.
• Can optionally create solid archives with user-definable unit sizes (e.g., choosing smaller units provides quicker file extraction, whereas selection of larger units enhances compression).
• Provides 2 compression algorithm options, plus a multimedia filter option for optimizing compression to file types.
• Provides 3 compression level options.
• Multi-platform: Win32 console version available, as is a more feature-rich GUI version (WinImp).

• Requires significant RAM to achieve best compression.
• Cannot create self extracting archives (WinImp can create Win SFXes).
• No encryption features.

Author: Technelysium Pty Ltd., Australia (2000). Suggested by Robert Bull.

Get more info, WinImp GUI v1.21, and C source code for the Unimp extractor at the IMP page.

UltraCompressor II (UC, UC2) — Archiver compresses files tighter than PKZIP (but see below...)
UltraExpander II (UE, UE2), extracts or lists files in a UC2 archive.

* * * *

[updated 2005-12-09]

...but PKZIP is the standard, regardless of its shortcomings. UC was one of several file compression programs that tried to unseat PKZIP from its dominant market position. While UC is not "freeware" it is free for individual use. UC's method of compression involves analyzing files for content type prior to compression. This allows a smarter and tighter compression of a set of files than is possible with PKZIP. The cost is slightly longer compression times. UC is operating system-aware (DOS/Win/OS/2) and can preserve extended attributes for OS/2 files.

UC's principal drawback is its inability to span files across multiple floppy diskettes (includes a separate utility that performs this task). Compression seems to require a large amount of memory – if you have a problem, try the included UltraStealth, a TSR that "allows UltraCompression with almost no free memory". UC may leave temp files on disk. UC never achieved the popularity of PkZIP, ARJ, RAR, or LHA and has not seen an update since 1996.

SYNTAX: UC command [option(s)] archive-name [files]
                                                     UC -!      configure UC2
COMMANDS: A D E   add / delete / extract             UC -??     view the manual
            L V   list / verbose list                UC -? ...  search manual
            P U   damage protect / unprotect         VU         start Visual UC
              T   test (& repair)
              C   convert archive to .UC2 archive
              O   optimize (especially with many versions of files)
              R   revise archive comment

OPTIONS: (directly after command, or preceded by '-' or '/')
       TF TN TT   fast / normal / tight-multimedia
              S   include subdirectories
              M   move mode
              F   force mode (never ask, always yes)
            I B   incremental mode (keep versions) / basic mode

;n  specify version      !DTT=YYYY-MM-DD/HH:MM:SS  dynamic time travel
!exclude files   #destination   ##+sourcepath   & concat   @script

To bring up a menu of options, start UC with no parameters.

Usage:   UE SAMPLE      Extract all files in SAMPLE.UC2 to the current
                        directory. UE will ask permission before it
                        overwrites files or creates subdirectories.

         UE -L SAMPLE   List all files in SAMPLE.UC2.

UCEXE		Tight EXE file compressor, self-checking (only free for individual use; can't distribute EXEs without license).
UC2SEA		Converts UC2 archives to self-extracting EXEs that present the end-user with directory destination and abort options.
Visual UltraCompressor (VU)		Freestanding graphical shell, shows directories or archives in four panels. Keyboard or mouse operation.
UltraDIFF (UDIFF)		Visually compares two versions of a text file.
UltraCrypt (UCRYPT)		Encryption / decryption tool with password protection.
Simple Archive Splitter (SAS)		Splits an archive into pieces, any size.
Configuration		.INI file stores settings. Available from the startup menu, or from the command: UC -!
Manual viewer		Keyboard or mouse operation. Available from the startup menu, or from the command: UC -??

Author: AIPNL, Netherlands (1994-96).

Note: The download links in AINPL's page are broken – use ours.

LHA — Creates freely distributable self extracting archives.

* * *

[updated 2005-09-24]

LHA is an older but popular archiver which shares similar compression statistics with PKZip. Unlike PKZip, Arj, UC2, and RAR, LHA is true freeware, and self-extracting archives created by LHA may be freely distributed. Compression / decompression are handled by a single exe.

Also see LHA's newer, tighter and faster freeware sibling, LHARK.

LHA version 2.55b                     Copyright (c) Haruyasu Yoshizaki, 1988-92
=== <<< A High-Performance File-Compression Program >>> ========  11/24/92  ===
 Usage: LHA <command> [/option[-+012|WDIR]] <archive[.LZH]> [DIR\] [filenames]

<command> a: Add files           u: Update files        m: Move files
          f: Freshen files       d: Delete files        p: disPlay files
          e: Extract files       x: eXtract files with pathnames
          l: List of files       v: View listing of files with pathnames
          s: make Self-extracting archive   t: Test the integrity of archive
<option>
          r: Recursively collect files      w: assign Work directory
          x: allow eXtended file names      m: no Message for query
          p: distinguish full Path names    c: skip time-stamp Check
          a: allow any Attributes of files  z: Zero compression (only store)
          t: archive's Time-stamp option    h: select Header level(default=1)
          o: use Old compatible method      n: display No indicator/pathname
          i: not Ignore lower case          l: display Long name with indicator
          s: Skip by time is not reported   -: '@' and/or '-' as usual letters
          d: pack Directory name also       f: Force to write without check

Note: All of the versions listed here (English/Japanese, DOS/Win) take the same commands.

Author: Haruyasu Yoshizaki, Japan (1992-96).

UnRAR — Unpacks RAR archives.

* * * * *

[updated 2006-08-21]

UnRAR is the unpacker for RAR compressed files. All versions are free for personal use only. Since the RAR archiver is shareware, I will not describe its terrific features except to note that it is becoming a more popular format on Eastern European ftp sites, BBSes, and FIDONET.

v2.50 for 16-bit DOS & OS/2

Usage:     UNRAR <command> -<switch 1> -<switch N> <archive> <files...>
                 <@listfiles...> <path_to_extract\>
<Commands>
  x     Extract with full path        e    Extract to current directory
  t     Test archive files            p    Print file to stdout
  l     List contents of archive      v    Verbosely list contents of archive

<Switches>
  r     Recurse subdirectories        y     Assume Yes on all queries
  o+    Overwrite existing files      o-    Do not overwrite existing files
  f     Freshen files                 u     Update files
  c-    Disable comments show         ems-  Disable expanded memory usage
  v     List all volumes              av-   Disable AV check
  x<file>       Exclude specified file
  x@<list>      Exclude files in specified list file
  p<password>   Set password
  p-            Do not query password
  kb            Keep broken extracted files
  w<path>       Assign work directory
_______________________________________________________________________________

v3.3.6 for 32-bit DOS & OS/2

Usage:     unrar <command> -<switch 1> -<switch N> <archive> <files...>
               <@listfiles...> <path_to_extract\>

<Commands>
  e             Extract files to current directory
  l[t,b]        List archive [technical, bare]
  p             Print file to stdout
  t             Test archive files
  v[t,b]        Verbosely list archive [technical,bare]
  x             Extract files with full path

<Switches>
  -             Stop switches scanning
  ad            Append archive name to destination path
  ap<path>      Set path inside archive
  av-           Disable authenticity verification check
  c-            Disable comments show
  cfg-          Disable read configuration
  cl            Convert names to lower case
  cu            Convert names to upper case
  dh            Open shared files
  ep            Exclude paths from names
  f             Freshen files
  idp           Disable percentage display
  ierr          Send all messages to stderr
  inul          Disable all messages
  kb            Keep broken extracted files
  o+            Overwrite existing files
  o-            Do not overwrite existing files
  p[password]   Set password
  p-            Do not query password
  r             Recurse subdirectories
  ri<P>[:<S>]   Set priority (0-default,1-min..15-max) and sleep time in ms
  ta<date>      Process files modified after <date> in YYYYMMDDHHMMSS format
  tb<date>      Process files modified before <date> in YYYYMMDDHHMMSS format
  tn<time>      Process files newer than <time>
  to<time>      Process files older than <time>
  ts<m,c,a>[N]  Save or restore file time (modification, creation, access)
  u             Update files
  v             List all volumes
  ver[n]        File version control
  vp            Pause before each volume
  x<file>       Exclude specified file
  x@            Read file names to exclude from stdin
  x@<list>      Exclude files in specified list file
  y             Assume Yes on all queries
_______________________________________________________________________________

v3.50 and v3.60 beta 6 for Win32 console

Usage:     unrar <command> -<switch 1> -<switch N> <archive> <files...>
               <@listfiles...> <path_to_extract\>

<Commands>
  e             Extract files to current directory
  l[t,b]        List archive [technical, bare]
  p             Print file to stdout
  t             Test archive files
  v[t,b]        Verbosely list archive [technical,bare]
  x             Extract files with full path

<Switches>
  -             Stop switches scanning
  ac            Clear Archive attribute after compression or extraction
  ad            Append archive name to destination path
  ap<path>      Set path inside archive
  av-           Disable authenticity verification check
  c-            Disable comments show
  cfg-          Disable read configuration
  cl            Convert names to lower case
  cu            Convert names to upper case
  dh            Open shared files
  ep            Exclude paths from names
  ep3           Expand paths to full including the drive letter
  f             Freshen files
  id[c,d,p,q]   Disable messages
  ierr          Send all messages to stderr
  inul          Disable all messages
  ioff          Turn PC off after completing an operation
  kb            Keep broken extracted files
  n<file>       Include only specified file
  n@            Read file names to include from stdin
  n@<list>      Include files in specified list file
  o+            Overwrite existing files
  o-            Do not overwrite existing files
  oc            Set NTFS Compressed attribute
  or            Rename files automatically (3.60 only)
  ow            Save or restore file owner and group
  p[password]   Set password
  p-            Do not query password
  r             Recurse subdirectories
  ri<P>[:<S>]   Set priority (0-default,1-min..15-max) and sleep time in ms
  sl<size>      Process files with size less than specified (3.60 only)
  sm<size>      Process files with size more than specified (3.60 only)
  ta<date>      Process files modified after <date> in YYYYMMDDHHMMSS format
  tb<date>      Process files modified before <date> in YYYYMMDDHHMMSS format
  tn<time>      Process files newer than <time>
  to<time>      Process files older than <time>
  ts<m,c,a>[N]  Save or restore file time (modification, creation, access)
  u             Update files
  v             List all volumes
  ver[n]        File version control
  vp            Pause before each volume
  x<file>       Exclude specified file
  x@            Read file names to exclude from stdin
  x@<list>      Exclude files in specified list file
  y             Assume Yes on all queries

Authors: Eugene Roshal, Alexander Roshal / RARLAB, Russia (2000-2006).

UnRAR and RAR for other OSes, and in many languages, can be found at RARLAB, including its WinRAR and RAR archiver addons page, and at SAC sites in the directory /PACK.

ARJ — Archiver with unmatched file management capabilities.
REARJ — Converts archives to ARJ format.
UNARJ — Unpacks ARJ archives.

unrated

[added 1998-12-15, updated 2005-12-09]

ARJ is a popular and versatile shareware archiver (free for individual use only). Compression stats are average but ARJ's file management capabilities are unmatched. An excellent choice for maintaining backups. Can archive files to multiple volumes regardless of destination media. Can create self-extracting archive EXEs. Supports Long File Names under all Win32. Free for individual use, except "you cannot distribute ARJ self extracting files publicly without a license". Also see the author's JAR archiver – many options, better compression, like ARJ free for individual use.

List of frequently used commands and switches.  Type ARJ -? for more help.

Usage:     ARJ <command> [-<sw> [-<sw>...]] <archive_name> [<file_names>...]
Examples:  ARJ a -e archive, ARJ e archive, ARJ l archive *.doc
<Commands>
 ac: Add Chapter to chapter archive     l: List contents of archive
  a: Add files to archive               m: Move files to archive
  c: Comment archive files              t: Test integrity of archive
  d: Delete files from archive          u: Update files to archive
  e: Extract files from archive         v: Verbosely list contents of archive
  f: Freshen files in archive           x: eXtract files with full pathname
<Switches>
  c: skip time-stamp Check              r: Recurse subdirectories
  e: Exclude paths from names           u: Update files (new and newer)
  f: Freshen existing files             v: enable multiple Volumes
  g: Garble with password               w: assign Work directory
  i: with no progress Indicator         x: eXclude selected files
  m: with Method 0, 1, 2, 3, 4          y: assume Yes on all queries
  n: only New files (not exist)        hk: enable ARJ-PROTECT damage protection

REARJ converts ARC, DWC, HYP, LZH, LZS. PAK. ZIP, ZOO archives to ARJ format. Like ARJ, REARJ supports Long File Names under all Win32.

Usage:  REARJ [switch options] <filespec(s) or wildname(s)>
  Switch options: (can be placed before or after filespecs)
  /a[suffix] convert archives within archives ("*" for all formats)
  /bcommand  execute DOS command before extracting files
  /ccommand  execute DOS command on extracted files before counting them
  /d         delete original archives
  /f         convert diskette archives
  /i[name]   check integrity of REARJ.EXE
  /l[name]   write append log file (default name is REARJ.LOG)
  /o         allow overwrite of existing target archive
  /p         ignore long filenames under Windows 95
  /q         query for each archive to convert
  /r         recurse through subdirectories
  /s         skip verify of file count and total size
  /tsuffix   create suffix type archives
  /u[bak]    allow update of archive with backup (default is BAK)
  /v         execute configured command on extracted files
  /wdir      assign work directory
  /xfile     exclude file or wildname
  /z         simulate operation
Example:  REARJ *.* /r /d    Convert all archives to ARJ format, searching
                             all subdirectories, deleting original archives

UNARJ unpacks or lists the contents of ARJ archives. ARJ itself can unpack and list archives, but if you don't need everything else it does, get UNARJ – it's good enough, and smaller. The download package contains DOS and Win32 versions, plus C source code.

Usage:  UNARJ archive[.arj]    (list archive)
        UNARJ e archive        (extract archive)
        UNARJ l archive        (list archive)
        UNARJ t archive        (test archive)
        UNARJ x archive        (extract with pathnames)

Author: Robert Jung / Arj Software (2002, 2005).

gzip — Compresses single files, can handle *.tgz, *.gz, *.z extensions.

unrated

[added 1998-12-15, updated 2005-02-04]

This is the DOS port of gzip (GNU zip), widely used on Unix systems. Use it to compress GNU or other uncompressed tar files.

gzip 1.2.4 (18 Aug 93)
usage: gzip [-cdfhlLnNrtvV19] [-S suffix] [file ...]
 -c --stdout      write on standard output, keep original files unchanged
 -d --decompress  decompress
 -f --force       force overwrite of output file and compress links
 -h --help        give this help
 -l --list        list compressed file contents
 -L --license     display software license
 -n --no-name     do not save or restore the original name and time stamp
 -N --name        save or restore the original name and time stamp
 -q --quiet       suppress all warnings
 -r --recursive   operate recursively on directories
 -S .suf  --suffix .suf     use suffix .suf on compressed files
 -t --test        test compressed file integrity
 -v --verbose     verbose mode
 -V --version     display version number
 -1 --fast        compress faster
 -9 --best        compress better
 file...          files to (de)compress. If none given, use standard input.

Released by gzip.org (2004).

GNU Tar — DOS/Windows port of the Unix archiver.

unrated

[added 2000-02-25, updated 2005-12-09]

This port, of the GNU port of the Unix tar, (tape archiver), is not for tape only: It supports archiving in any medium. Windows or other Long File Names are changed to DOS 8.3. Extensive, approachable documentation. 32-bit DJGPP build, requires 80386+ and a DOS Protected Mode Interface (CWSDPMI or other). "...all the features in the original Unix code also work in the DOS/Windows port...exception is the lack of support for remote archives."

Usage: tar [OPTION]... [FILE]...

If a long option shows an argument as mandatory, then it is mandatory
for the equivalent short option also.  Similarly for optional arguments.

Main operation mode:
  -t, --list              list the contents of an archive
  -x, --extract, --get    extract files from an archive
  -c, --create            create a new archive
  -d, --diff, --compare   find differences between archive and file system
  -r, --append            append files to the end of an archive
  -A, --catenate          append tar files to an archive
      --concatenate       same as -A
      --delete            delete from the archive (not on mag tapes!)

Operation modifiers:
  -W, --verify               attempt to verify the archive after writing it
      --remove-files         remove files after adding them to the archive
  -k, --keep-old-files       don't overwrite existing files when extracting
  -u, --update               replace entries or extract files only if newer
  -U, --unlink-first         remove each file prior to extracting over it
      --recursive-unlink     empty hierarchies prior to extracting directory
  -S, --sparse               handle sparse files efficiently
  -O, --to-stdout            extract files to standard output
  -G, --incremental          handle old GNU-format incremental backup
  -g, --listed-incremental   handle new GNU-format incremental backup
      --name-prefix=PREFIX   prepend PREFIX to each name in create archive
      --ignore-failed-read   do not exit with nonzero on unreadable files

Handling of file attributes:
      --owner=NAME             force NAME as owner for added files
      --group=NAME             force NAME as group for added files
      --mode=CHANGES           force (symbolic) mode CHANGES for added files
      --atime-preserve         don't change access times on dumped files
  -m, --modification-time      don't extract file modified time
      --same-owner             try extracting files with the same ownership
      --numeric-owner          always use numbers for user/group names
  -p, --same-permissions       extract all protection information
      --preserve-permissions   same as -p
  -s, --same-order             sort names to extract to match archive
      --preserve-order         same as -s
      --no-attributes          do not restore any file attribute
      --preserve               same as both -p and -s

Device selection and switching:
  -f, --file=ARCHIVE             use archive file or device ARCHIVE
      --force-local              archive file is local even if has a colon
      --rsh-command=COMMAND      use remote COMMAND instead of rsh
  -[0-7][lmh]                    specify drive and density
  -M, --multi-volume             create/list/extract multi-volume archive
  -L, --tape-length=NUM          change tape after writing NUM x 1024 bytes
  -F, --info-script=FILE         run script at end of each tape (implies -M)
      --new-volume-script=FILE   same as -F FILE
      --volno-file=FILE          use/update the volume number in FILE

Device blocking:
  -b, --blocking-factor=BLOCKS   BLOCKS x 512 bytes per record
      --record-size=SIZE         SIZE bytes per record, multiple of 512
  -i, --ignore-zeros             ignore zeroed blocks in archive (means EOF)
  -B, --read-full-records        reblock as we read (for 4.2BSD pipes)

Archive format selection:
  -V, --label=NAME                   create archive with volume name NAME
              PATTERN                at list/extract time, a globbing PATTERN
  -o, --old-archive, --portability   write a V7 format archive
      --posix                        write a POSIX conformant archive
  -z, --gzip                         filter the archive through gzip
  -Z, --compress                     filter the archive through compress
      --use-compress-program=PROG    filter through PROG (must accept -d)

Local file selection:
  -C, --directory=DIR          change to directory DIR
  -T, --files-from=NAME        get names to extract or create from file NAME
      --null                   -T reads null-terminated names, disable -C
      --exclude=PATTERN        exclude files, given as a globbing PATTERN
  -X, --exclude-from=FILE      exclude globbing patterns listed in FILE
  -P, --absolute-names         don't strip leading '/'s from file names
  -h, --dereference            dump instead the files symlinks point to
      --no-recursion           avoid descending automatically in directories
  -l, --one-file-system        stay in local file system when creating archive
  -K, --starting-file=NAME     begin at file NAME in the archive
  -N, --newer=DATE             only store files newer than DATE
      --newer-mtime            compare date and time when data changed only
      --after-date=DATE        same as -N
      --backup[=CONTROL]       backup before removal, choose version control
      --suffix=SUFFIX          backup before removal, override usual suffix

Informative output:
      --help            print this help, then exit
      --version         print tar program version number, then exit
  -v, --verbose         verbosely list files processed
      --checkpoint      write a progress message every ten records
      --totals          print total bytes written while creating archive
  -R, --block-number    show block number within archive with each message
  -w, --interactive     ask for confirmation for every action
      --confirmation    same as -w

The backup suffix is '~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.
The version control may be set with --backup or VERSION_CONTROL, values are:

  t, numbered     make numbered backups
  nil, existing   numbered if numbered backups exist, simple otherwise
  never, simple   always make simple backups

This 'tar' cannot produce '--posix' archives.  Also, if POSIXLY_CORRECT
is set in the environment, GNU extensions are disallowed with '--posix'.
Support for POSIX is only partially implemented, don't depend on it yet.
ARCHIVE may be FILE, HOST:FILE or USER@HOST:FILE; and FILE may be a file
or a device.  *This* 'tar' defaults to '-f- -b20'.

tar -x < my.tar

Authors: John Gilmore, Jay Fenlason, et al. (1988-2003).

2003-12-15: v1.12a recompiled.

Online manual.

tar v3.20 & v3.21 — Non-GNU tar, especially useful for transferring data between OSes.

unrated

[added 1998-12-15, updated 2005-08-03]

Allows extract from/write to archives in files, floppies or QIC-02 and ASPI-driven SCSI streamers in both regular 'tar' format and compressed by (g)zip or 'compress.' Distinguishing features: processes in a uniform way under both MS-DOS and UNIX clones; read/write UNIX-compatible floppies and quarter-inch streamer cartridges under DOS; supports unusual floppy formats; supplies data compression option under both DOS and UNIX; allows reading of System V and/or GNU multivolume archives under DOS and all UNIX clones; includes option to restore damaged archives...

   Usage: tar -<options> [tapefile] [blocksize] [disksize] file ...

   Options are:
     c - put files to new archive     s - no wildcards for archive
     a,r - add files to archive       m - forget files date/time
     y - move files to archive        n - no proceed with dir nesting
     x - extract files from archive   l - copy linked files
     t - show archive catalog         o - prevent files overwriting
     d - delete files in archive      \ - omit left '\' in file names
     u - update files                 : - omit DOS drive name
     v - verbose                      0...3 - number of storage device
     w - acknowledge operations       j - comment storying files
     i - ignore read errors           f - next arg is an archive file
     e - compress encode files        b - next arg is a blocking factor
     z - old-fashion compression      k - next arg is K diskette size
     , - run through compressor       @ - next arg is a responce file
     . - run through (g)zip           # - exclude file(s) specification

   Most of options may be combined. Wildcards * and ? are o'k

   The following "file names" will be treated as diskette format/size:
	fd048ss8  - 160K	fd048ds8  - 320K	fd135ds9  - 720K
	fd048ss9  - 180K	fd048ds9  - 360K	fd135ds18 - 1.4M
	fd096ds9  - 720K	fd096ds15 - 1.2M	rainbow

   Streamer "file name" syntax (full form) is:
	<device>:base:=<base address>h,dma:=<DRQ>[,irq:=<IRQ>][,norewind]
   Streamer device clones supported are:
	archive,	everex,		wangtek

   The following "file names" are aliases for ASPI driven SCSI streamer:
	aspitape,	aspimgr$,	aspi
   Full form is:
	aspi[:target:=<n>[,lun:=<n>][,adapter:=<n>][,density:=<x>]]

Other notes: Runs on any PC and DOS 3.0+. Source included in distribution files.

Author: Timur V. Shaporev, Russia (1997).

UNTAR — Useful for browsing tar files.

unrated

[added 1999-08-16, updated 2005-12-09]

I most often use this for casual browsing of downloaded tar files. The few options are easily comprehended. Handles Win9x LFNs: "Untar also supports long file names (LFNs) in the DOS-prompt of Win95/98/NT by renaming the files after untaring them [creates batch file with rename commands]."

Usage : untar [/option(s)] file name

        where file name is the name of the file to be processed.
        Options:
        /x  Extract file and ask always for a new file name,
            if UNIX-file name contains path information.
            You can skip file by entering * as new file name.
        /n  Extract to file name without path (default).
        /p  Extract to file name in the directory defined
            in tar-file. (Create directory if non-existent).
        /v  View files in tar-archive.
        /s  Writes file names in archive to the file UNTAR.TXT
        /l  Writes file names and sizes to the file UNTAR.TXT
        /o  Overwrite without asking (to be combined with xnp)
        /u  Convert illegal chars in file names to underscore.
        /r  Rename file if already exists (extension : $00...$99)4
        /t  Do not write the UNTARLOG.TXT
        /b  Do not write the UNTARREN.BAT
        /i  More information and version identification.

When a tar-file is processed, a log file UNTARLOG.TXT, containing
the Unix-file names and the resulting DOS-file names, is made.
Also a file UNTARREN.BAT is generated, which can be used for
moving the untarred files to their original long file names.

Author: Michael Husted, Denmark (1999).

1999-07-22: v1.4.

Download untar.zip (14K).

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