How to Unzip a ZIP File in Unix

The ZIP file format is a data compression and archive format. A ZIP file contains one or more files that have been compressed to reduce the file size. It is highly recommended to use the .zip compression format in UNIX so the files can easily be uncompressed in Windows via WinZip or PKunzip. There are two other main forms of compression: the .tar and .gz formats. All three of these formats can easily be unzipped (uncompressed) in the UNIX environment with a single line statement.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Type "unzip zipfile.zip" where zipfile is the name of the file that you are uncompressing. The "unzip" command allows the user to unzip compressed files with the .zip extension.

2. Type "tar xvf tarfile.tar" where tarfile is the name of the file that you are uncompressing. The "tar xvf" command allows the user to uncompress compressed files with the .tar extension.

3. Type "gunzip zipfile.gz" where zipfile is the name of the file that you are uncompressing. The "gunzip" command allows the user to unzip compressed files with the .gz extension. Gunzip converts the file into a tar file without the .tar extension. So, now you must follow Step 2 and type "tar xvf zipfile." Zipfile in this case has no extension.