How to make tar extract to new directory with option to create directory if not present?

Asked Oct 28 '20 at 07:35

Active Oct 28 '20 at 07:35

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The tar command has option to extra a file (file_name.tgz) into given directory (directory_name). ie.,

tar -zxf file_name.tgz -C directory_name

But it fails, if I try to run the above command, without creating directory (directory_name) prior to running this. Following is the error I got:

tar: directory_name: Cannot open: No such file or directory
tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now

Is there any option present in tar command to create this directory if not present?

The present work around I have, is by running mkdir -p directory_name in prior.

asked Oct 28 '20 at 07:35

Mithun B

1

How to extract files to another directory using 'tar' command – Oct 28 '20 at 07:44
2

you can also use mkdir -p directory && tar -xf filename.tgz -C $_, $_ will contain the last argument of the previous command. – Oct 28 '20 at 07:49
@bac0n what about the case when mkdir fails? It would be very rare, but still. – Mithun B Oct 28 '20 at 07:59
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command && <-- and command, meaning if the first command fails the second command will not execute. – Oct 28 '20 at 08:30
MithunB, mkdir -p will create the parent path too, so it will not fail, while the user has enough write permissions. @bac0n, please convert your comment into an answer. – pa4080 Oct 28 '20 at 08:30
@bac0n you are right about &&. I just overlook without paying much heed. – Mithun B Oct 28 '20 at 10:34

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