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zip

The zip command can be used to decompress files or perform packaging operations on files. zip is a widely used compression program, and files compressed with it will produce a compressed file with the extension .zip.

Syntax​

zip [-options] [-b path] [-t mmddyyyy] [-n suffixes] [zipfile list] [-xi list]
  • zipfile list: Specifies the zip file to be created.
  • File list: Specifies the list of files to be compressed.

Option Explanation​

  • -0: Only store data without compression.
  • -1: Faster compression speed.
  • -9: Better compression quality.
  • -'compression efficiency': Compression efficiency is a value between 1-9.
  • -@: Reads file names from standard input.
  • -A: Adjusts executable self-extracting files.
  • -b path: Specifies the temporary directory for storing files.
  • -c: Adds a comment to each compressed file.
  • -d: Deletes entries in the compressed file.
  • -D: Does not add directory entries.
  • -e: Encrypts.
  • -f: This option is similar to specifying "-u", but not only updates existing files. If some files do not exist in the compressed file, this option will add them to the compressed file.
  • -F: Attempts to repair damaged compressed files (-FF attempts a stricter repair).
  • -h2: Displays more help.
  • -i: Only compresses files that meet the conditions.
  • -j: Only saves file names and their contents without storing any directory names.
  • -J: Does not record the compression file prefix (used for self-extracting files).
  • -l: Converts LF to CR LF (-ll converts CR LF to LF).
  • -m: Moves to the compressed file (deletes the operating system file).
  • -n: Does not compress files with these suffixes.
  • -o: Makes the compressed file have the same date as the newest entry.
  • -q: Runs in quiet mode.
  • -r: Recursively into directories.
  • -s: Changes the delay time between two refreshes, in seconds (if there are decimals, in milliseconds). Entering a value of 0 means the system will refresh continuously, the default value is 5 seconds.
  • -T: Tests the integrity of the compressed file.
  • -u: Updates (only includes changed or new files).
  • -v: Detailed operation, prints version information.
  • -X: Excludes additional file attributes.
  • -y: Directly saves symbolic links instead of the files they point to. This parameter is only effective on systems like UNIX.
  • -z: Adds a comment to the compressed file.

Common Commands​

Pack all files and folders under the /app directory into a app.zip file in the current directory:

zip -q -r app.zip /app

If we are in the /app directory, we can execute the following command:

zip -q -r app.zip *

Delete the file a.c from the compressed file cp.zip:

zip -dv cp.zip a.c