mxtar

mxtar [options] [archive-file] [file1] [file2] ...

-c, --create
    Create a new archive file.

-x, --extract, --get
    Extract files from an archive.

-t, --list
    List the contents of an archive.

-f, --file ARCHIVE
    Specify the archive file name.

-v, --verbose
    Print file names being processed.

-z, --gzip, --gunzip, --ungzip
    Compress the archive with gzip.

-j, --bzip2
    Compress the archive with bzip2.

-J, --xz
    Compress the archive with xz.

-P, --absolute-names
    Don't strip leading /'s from file names.

--exclude PATTERN
    Exclude files matching PATTERN.

--sparse
    Handle sparse files efficiently.

MX Tar, or 'mxtar', is an enhanced version of the standard `tar` command designed to improve performance and offer additional features for managing tar archives, especially in environments with high data throughput and specific storage requirements.

It supports all standard `tar` functionalities like creating, extracting, listing and updating archives. MX Tar enhances on this with optimizations to speed up archive creation and extraction. MX Tar often contains features such as concurrent compression, parallel processing, and improved support for sparse files.

MX Tar is valuable in backup and restore processes where archive sizes are large and time is critical. It's often employed in data warehousing, scientific computing, and any environment dealing with vast amounts of data that need efficient archival and retrieval methods.

When using MX Tar, be mindful of resource utilization. Parallel processing can significantly increase CPU and I/O load. Experiment with different compression algorithms and levels to find the optimal balance between compression ratio and speed. On systems with limited resources, using default or lower compression levels may be more efficient.

MX Tar usually offers improved error handling compared to standard tar. Pay close attention to error messages, and use verbose mode (-v) for debugging problems with archive creation or extraction. Verify the integrity of archives after creation, especially large ones.

MX Tar evolved as a response to the need for faster and more efficient tar archival solutions, particularly in high-performance computing and large-scale data management environments. While standard `tar` provides a robust foundation, MX Tar introduces optimizations like parallel processing and concurrent compression to significantly reduce archival and extraction times. The development likely involved identifying bottlenecks in the standard `tar` implementation and re-engineering those aspects for improved throughput. MX Tar is actively maintained and developed to meet the growing demands of large file storage and data backup.

tar(1), gzip(1), bzip2(1), xz(1)