You basically need to know three options for tar: -x EXTRACT -c CREATE -f - USE STDIN/OUT to create a tar file of the current directory: tar -cf - . | gzip >

You basically need to know three options for tar: -x EXTRACT -c CREATE -f - USE STDIN/OUT to create a tar file of the current directory: tar -cf - . | gzip > /tmp/foo.tar.gz to extract: gzip < /tmp/foo.tar.gz | tar -xf - why tar has all the options was someone's idea they were helping you out -- they weren't Create is -c --- remember that eXtract is -x - remember that -f - is stdout/stdin depending on your need -- remember that pipes are your friend.