To compress tar -zcvf archive_ folder_to_compress Second up is TAR, an old favorite on Unix/Linux – you add the GZ for the compression – compresses tighter than zip ds store files, use the “-X” option in the command so: zip -r -X archive_name.zip folder_to_compress TAR.GZ – Cross Platform If you want to make a zip without those invisible Mac resource files such as “_MACOSX” or “._Filename” and. To compress zip -r archive_name.zip folder_to_compress ZIP – Cross Platformįirst up is ZIP one of the most commonly used compression techniques used across all platforms Here are some built-in compression applications you can use including zip, tar, gz, bz2, gz and dmg.

A compressed file which contains files and folders is generally referred to as an archive. The default command line application interface in macOS is the Terminal and is stored in /Applications/Utilities.įile and folder compression saves on file size and ensures the contents are captured and delivered or stored as one monolithic file. Terminal will then spit out a few lines of code indicating that your zip file has been unzipped and the files within the folder should now be available on your desktop.Since macOS is based on Unix there are a number of ways to compress files and folders within the filing system using Unix based application code, below are a few options using the Terminal or command line interface (cli). Joshuas-MacBook-Pro-2:desktop joshuaerickson$ unzip test.zip This means to Change Directory to Desktop. Joshuas-MacBook-Pro-2:~ joshuaerickson$ cd desktop Last login: Wed Jan 28 13:47:29 on console When you have terminal open, type in the following commands. You can also search for Terminal in your Mac's Launchpad. You can search for Terminal in your Mac by clicking on the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner or locate it in the Utilities folder, which is in the Applications folder. zip file to the desktop, it will make it easier to find your.

Windows/PC users: Try WinRAR should a workaround be needed to unzip a folder! Step 1 - Move. You can also access it by searching for Terminal using OSX's search function, located in the top right part of the screen within the Finder or by using the search function in the upper center of the screen from your launchpad. Terminal is located in the Utilities folder, within the Applications folder on your Mac. In contrast to the mostly graphical nature of the user experience of OS X, terminal provides a command lined interface that connects to the operating system. Terminal is an application that provides provides text-based access to the operating system.

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