I just use GNU long options now, e.g.: $ tar --extract --verbose --gzip < foo.tar.gz $ tar --create --gzip --file sql.tar sql/ After switching to this style

I just use GNU long options now, e.g.: $ tar --extract --verbose --gzip < foo.tar.gz $ tar --create --gzip --file sql.tar sql/ After switching to this style I never have problems coming up with the correct command. It's a lot easier to read in shell scripts too.