How to use the command p7zip (with examples)
p7zip is a command-line tool used as a wrapper for the 7-Zip file archiver. It is used for compressing and decompressing files with high compression ratio. The tool internally executes either the 7za or 7zr command.
Use case 1: Archive a file, replacing it with a 7zipped compressed version
Code:
p7zip path/to/file
Motivation: This use case allows you to compress a file using 7-Zip and replace the original file with its compressed version. It can be useful when you want to save storage space by compressing files.
Explanation:
p7zip: The command to invoke the p7zip tool.path/to/file: The path to the file that needs to be compressed.
Example output:
Compressing path/to/file.7z...
Use case 2: Archive a file keeping the input file
Code:
p7zip -k path/to/file
Motivation: In some cases, you may want to keep the original file even after compressing it. This use case allows you to create a 7zipped compressed version of a file while preserving the original file.
Explanation:
p7zip: The command to invoke the p7zip tool.-k: The argument to keep the input file after compression.path/to/file: The path to the file that needs to be compressed.
Example output:
Compressing path/to/file.7z...
Use case 3: Decompress a file, replacing it with the original uncompressed version
Code:
p7zip -d compressed.ext.7z
Motivation: This use case is useful when you have a compressed file that needs to be decompressed and replaced with the original uncompressed version. It allows you to restore the file to its original state.
Explanation:
p7zip: The command to invoke the p7zip tool.-d: The argument to indicate decompression.compressed.ext.7z: The path to the compressed file that needs to be decompressed.
Example output:
Decompressing compressed.ext.7z...
Use case 4: Decompress a file keeping the input file
Code:
p7zip -d -k compressed.ext.7z
Motivation: In certain scenarios, you may want to keep both the compressed and decompressed versions of a file. This use case allows you to decompress a file while preserving the original compressed file.
Explanation:
p7zip: The command to invoke the p7zip tool.-d: The argument to indicate decompression.-k: The argument to keep the input file after decompression.compressed.ext.7z: The path to the compressed file that needs to be decompressed.
Example output:
Decompressing compressed.ext.7z...
Use case 5: Skip some checks and force compression or decompression
Code:
p7zip -f path/to/file
Motivation: If you encounter any potential issues or warnings while compressing or decompressing a file, this use case allows you to skip some checks and force the operation. It can be helpful when you need to streamline the process and bypass any unnecessary checks.
Explanation:
p7zip: The command to invoke the p7zip tool.-f: The argument to force the compression or decompression.path/to/file: The path to the file that needs to be processed.
Example output:
Forcing compression/decompression of path/to/file...
Conclusion:
The p7zip command provides a convenient way to compress and decompress files using the 7-Zip file archiver. The various use cases illustrated above provide flexibility in managing files and storage space while preserving the original files when necessary. Whether you need to replace or keep the input file, force the operation, or bypass checks, p7zip offers solutions for different scenarios.
