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(tar.info)Overwrite Old Files

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Overwrite Old Files
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`--overwrite'
     Overwrite existing files and directory metadata when extracting
     files from an archive.

     This causes `tar' to write extracted files into the file system
     without regard to the files already on the system; i.e., files
     with the same names as archive members are overwritten when the
     archive is extracted.  It also causes `tar' to extract the
     ownership, permissions, and time stamps onto any preexisting files
     or directories.  If the name of a corresponding file name is a
     symbolic link, the file pointed to by the symbolic link will be
     overwritten instead of the symbolic link itself (if this is
     possible).  Moreover, special devices, empty directories and even
     symbolic links are automatically removed if they are in the way of
     extraction.

     Be careful when using the `--overwrite' option, particularly when
     combined with the `--absolute-names' (`-P') option, as this
     combination can change the contents, ownership or permissions of
     any file on your system.  Also, many systems do not take kindly to
     overwriting files that are currently being executed.

`--overwrite-dir'
     Overwrite the metadata of directories when extracting files from an
     archive, but remove other files before extracting.