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(tar.info)Styles

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The Three Option Styles
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   There are three styles for writing operations and options to the
command line invoking `tar'.  The different styles were developed at
different times during the history of `tar'.  These styles will be
presented below, from the most recent to the oldest.

   Some options must take an argument.  (For example,
`--file=ARCHIVE-NAME' (`-f ARCHIVE-NAME') takes the name of an archive
file as an argument.  If you do not supply an archive file name, `tar'
will use a default, but this can be confusing; thus, we recommend that
you always supply a specific archive file name.)  Where you _place_ the
arguments generally depends on which style of options you choose.  We
will detail specific information relevant to each option style in the
sections on the different option styles, below.  The differences are
subtle, yet can often be very important; incorrect option placement can
cause you to overwrite a number of important files.  We urge you to
note these differences, and only use the option style(s) which makes
the most sense to you until you feel comfortable with the others.

Mnemonic Options

Mnemonic Option Style

Short Options

Short Option Style

Old Options

Old Option Style

Mixing

Mixing Option Styles