How to remember `tar` command options without Googling

Motivation

I'm writing this article because I want to stop relying on Google every time I come across a tar.gz file. After realizing that it would be more efficient to categorize and comprehend the available options, I decided to compile a list to make it easier to remember. The tar --help command produces an extensive list of options, and we have taken the liberty of extracting and organizing the most frequently used ones for your convenience.

tar option classification

Main operation mode (what to do)

option	keyword	description
c	create	compression case
x	extract	decompression case

Compression options

option	keyword	description
z	gzip	use gzip program like tar.gz
j	bzip	uses bzip2 program like tar.bz2
J	xz	uses xz program like tar.xz
a	auto	tar command determines compression program

Informative output

option	keyword	description
v	verbose	verbosely output

Device selection and switching

option	keyword	description
f	file	output file practically required

Example

When decompressing tar.gz

classification	choice
Main operation mode	x
Compression options	z
Informative output	(v)
Device selection and switching	f

You will use xzvf or xzf option.