Tar command problem in Unix

[UWDawg]

Hey all-

I am trying to tar up a directory in a bundle and output it into a .tar. I have done this more times then I can remember, but I seem to be having a brain fart. Correct me if I am wrong but isn't this the correct command:

tar cvf directory/* directory.tar

I am recieving an error that directory.tar does not exist, but isn't this command telling the OS to tar the directory and everything in it and output it to a file called directory.tar if no directory. tar then create.

I have also created a directory.tar using the mkdir command, but after running tar cvf then tar tvf it does not transpose anything in that directory. Did I miss something obvious?

Thank you for any assistance

 

[cjr22]

You've just got the filenames backwards, if you do
tar cvf directory.tar directory/*
it should work fine

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

You probably want "directory", not "directory/*". * misses dot files, and if you want a backup of the whole directory, you'll proably want the dot files too. i.e.:

tar cvf directory.tar directory

 

[UWDawg]

Thank you.

It is a little embarassing that I got the command so discombobulated.

Your help is much appreciated.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Understandable, unix commands aren't always all that memorable.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Remember the command man.

Tar is one I have to look up on occasion.

 

[UWDawg]

Yes, I did use man, but I was such a space case I did not notice that I had the command all mixed up. I do not know about you guys, but I write down every little UNIX problem I run into on a sticky note and paste it on my monitor for future reference. Well, I am now on my 3rd monitor (out of five in my room). Hopefully, I will become a tad more proficient before I run out of real estate.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: UWDawg
Yes, I did use man, but I was such a space case I did not notice that I had the command all mixed up. I do not know about you guys, but I write down every little UNIX problem I run into on a sticky note and paste it on my monitor for future reference. Well, I am now on my 3rd monitor (out of five in my room). Hopefully, I will become a tad more proficient before I run out of real estate.

I would have covered the house if I had started doing something like that.

 

[UWDawg]

The sad part is that most of the notes are shortcuts for vi.

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: UWDawg
Yes, I did use man, but I was such a space case I did not notice that I had the command all mixed up. I do not know about you guys, but I write down every little UNIX problem I run into on a sticky note and paste it on my monitor for future reference. Well, I am now on my 3rd monitor (out of five in my room). Hopefully, I will become a tad more proficient before I run out of real estate.

I would have covered the house if I had started doing something like that.

Well, if you did that you woudln't need to feel ashamed over the pink elephants on your wallpaper

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Sunner

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: UWDawg
Yes, I did use man, but I was such a space case I did not notice that I had the command all mixed up. I do not know about you guys, but I write down every little UNIX problem I run into on a sticky note and paste it on my monitor for future reference. Well, I am now on my 3rd monitor (out of five in my room). Hopefully, I will become a tad more proficient before I run out of real estate.

I would have covered the house if I had started doing something like that.

Well, if you did that you woudln't need to feel ashamed over the pink elephants on your wallpaper

Fluffy bunnies! Meanie