gunzip Overview
`gunzip` is a utility included in the `gzip` package, primarily used for decompressing a single file with the `.gz` extension. Just as the default behavior of `gzip` is to delete the original file and keep the compressed file, the default behavior of `gunzip` is to delete the compressed file and keep the decompressed original file. Therefore, when decompressing important compressed files, you should consider the 'preserve original file' option.
Role of gunzip
The `gunzip` command is mainly used for the following purposes:
Key Applications
- Decompressing Files: Restores the contents of a `.gz` compressed file to its original state.
- Restoring Backup Files: Decompresses backup files compressed with `gzip` to restore data.
- Handling Downloaded Files: Decompresses software packages or data downloaded from the internet in `.gz` format.
Key gunzip Command Options
The `gunzip` command provides options to control the decompression process, such as preserving the original file, displaying detailed information, and performing recursive operations.
1. Basic Decompression Options
2. Recursive Processing and Information Output
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Description:
`gunzip` Executes the command.
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Usage Examples
Learn how to effectively decompress `.gz` files with various usage examples of the `gunzip` command.
Decompressing a single `.gz` file
gunzip document.txt.gzDecompresses `document.txt.gz` to create `document.txt`, and deletes the original `.gz` file.
Decompressing and keeping the original `.gz` file
gunzip -k log_archive.gzDecompresses `log_archive.gz` to create `log_archive`, but does not delete the `log_archive.gz` file.
Recursively decompressing all `.gz` files in a directory
gunzip -r downloads/Decompresses all `.gz` files in the `downloads` directory and its subdirectories.
Checking detailed information of a compressed file
gunzip -l data.csv.gzChecks the compressed/uncompressed size and compression ratio of `data.csv.gz`. This command does not decompress the file.
Viewing decompressed content through a pipe
gunzip -c access.log.gz | lessViews the decompressed content via a pipe (|) to the `less` command without directly decompressing the file. This is useful for temporary viewing.