How to use the command 'lz' (with examples)

The ’lz’ command is a convenient utility used to list all files inside a ‘.tar.gz’ compressed archive without extracting its contents. This is useful when users need to verify the contents of a compressed file before deciding if or how they should proceed with decompression or further processing. The command provides a quick preview of the archive’s structure, saving time and computational resources.

Use case 1: List all files inside a compressed archive

Code:

lz path/to/file.tar.gz

Motivation:

Imagine you have received a ‘.tar.gz’ archive from a colleague and want to ensure it contains the necessary files before uncompressing it. This is particularly relevant when dealing with large archives where extracting all contents could take significant time and space. Using ’lz’ allows you to rapidly peek into the archive’s structure and verify the files without the full extraction process, ensuring you have exactly what you need or checking for any missing elements.

Explanation:

• lz: This is the core command utilized to interact with the ‘.tar.gz’ archive format specifically to list items.
• path/to/file.tar.gz: This argument refers to the specific path location of the archive you wish to inspect. It tells the ’lz’ command where to look for the archive file. You must replace path/to/file.tar.gz with the actual path to the file you want to examine.

Example Output:

When the lz command is executed on a ‘.tar.gz’ file, assuming it contains directories and files arranged as specified, the output might look like this:

file1.txt
dir1/
dir1/file2.txt
dir2/
dir2/file3.jpg
file4.pdf

This output provides a structured list of all the files and directories contained within the archive, effectively revealing the organization and presence of files without any further extraction work.

Conclusion:

The ’lz’ command is a versatile tool for effortlessly reviewing the contents of a ‘.tar.gz’ compressed archive. Its simplicity and effectiveness in presenting the files and directories within an archive make it an indispensable asset in file management, particularly for users who frequently deal with compressed file formats. By using this command, users can streamline their file inspection process and avoid unnecessary extraction tasks.