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The gzip command in Linux is a file compression utility that uses the Lempel-Ziv (LZ77) algorithm to reduce the size of files. The compressed files usually have a .gz extension. In this tutorial, we'll cover the basic usage of the gzip command.
To compress a single file using gzip, provide the file as an argument:
gzip file.txt
This will compress file.txt and create a compressed file named file.txt.gz in the same directory. The original file file.txt will be removed.
To compress multiple files with gzip, provide multiple file names as arguments:
gzip file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt
This will create compressed files with a .gz extension for each input file and remove the original files.
By default, gzip removes the original file after compressing it. If you want to keep the original file, use the -k or --keep option:
gzip -k file.txt
This will create a compressed file file.txt.gz while keeping the original file file.txt.
gzip allows you to set the compression level using a number between 1 and 9. A higher number provides better compression, but takes more time. The default compression level is 9. To set a custom compression level, use the - followed by the desired number:
gzip -6 file.txt
This will compress file.txt with a compression level of 6.
Although gzip is primarily used for compression, it can also be used to decompress .gz files. To decompress a file, use the -d or --decompress option:
gzip -d file.txt.gz
This will decompress file.txt.gz and create the original file file.txt in the same directory. The compressed file file.txt.gz will be removed.
In summary, the gzip command is a powerful file compression utility in Linux that allows you to compress and decompress files efficiently. By understanding the various options and arguments, you can customize the compression level, manage original files, and even decompress files using the same command.
How to use the gzip command in Linux:
gzip is a command-line utility in Linux used to compress files. It replaces the original file with a compressed version having the .gz extension.
Example code:
gzip filename
Compressing files with gzip in Linux:
Compressing a file with gzip is a simple process.
Example code:
gzip file.txt
Creating compressed archives using gzip:
To create a compressed archive with multiple files, you can use tar in conjunction with gzip.
Example code:
tar czf archive.tar.gz file1.txt file2.txt
Compressing directories and subdirectories with gzip:
To compress a directory and its contents, you can use the -r option with gzip.
Example code:
gzip -r directory
Setting compression levels with gzip in Linux:
gzip allows you to set compression levels from 1 to 9, where 1 is the fastest with the least compression, and 9 is the slowest with the highest compression.
Example code (setting compression level to 9):
gzip -9 file.txt
Viewing compressed file sizes with gzip:
To view the compressed size of a file without actually compressing it, you can use the -l option.
Example code:
gzip -l file.txt
Recursive compression of files and folders with gzip:
To recursively compress files and subdirectories within a directory, you can use the find command.
Example code:
find /path/to/directory -type f -exec gzip {} \;
Appending and updating compressed files using gzip:
You can append to an existing compressed file using the -c option and redirecting the output.
Example code:
gzip -c file.txt >> compressed_file.gz