TARBALL Meaning and
Definition
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A tarball is a compressed archive file format commonly used in Unix-based operating systems. It is created by the tar command, which stands for "tape archive." The term "tarball" is derived from the combination of "tar" and "ball," referring to the historic use of magnetic tape for data storage.
A tarball is essentially a collection of files and directories packed into a single file, usually with a ".tar" extension. This archive is created to simplify the process of transferring or storing multiple files or directories. The tarball acts as a container, preserving the file hierarchy and the file attributes, such as permissions and timestamps.
Tarballs are often compressed using the gzip or bzip2 compression algorithms, resulting in file extensions such as ".tar.gz" or ".tar.bz2." This compression reduces the overall size of the tarball, making it easier to transfer or store.
To extract the contents of a tarball, one needs to use a compatible tool, such as the tar command. This tool untars the archive, recreating the original file structure and extracting all the files and directories contained within.
In summary, a tarball is an archive file format that efficiently stores and transfers multiple files and directories while preserving their attributes and hierarchy. It is commonly used in Unix-based systems for software distribution and backup purposes.
Common Misspellings for TARBALL
Etymology of TARBALL
The term "tarball" is a compound word that combines two different components: "tar" and "ball".
The word "tar" traces back to the Old English word "teoru", which came from the Proto-Germanic word "*terwō". It referred to a thick, dark, and sticky substance, typically derived from wood or coal, used as a waterproofing or adhesive material.
The word "ball" comes from the Old English word "beall", derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*balluz". It refers to a rounded, compact object.
The term "tarball" itself emerged in the mid-20th century and is primarily associated with computing. It refers to a compressed archive file that contains multiple files and directories. Its name is derived from the visual analogy of the dark, sticky substance (tar) being compressed into a globular shape (ball).
