What is the best way to put all of the files and folders in a directory into one single file? And what is the command to do it on a Linux machine?

tar czf file.tar.gz directory

or if you want it gzip'd:

tar zcvf file.tgz directory

To clarify allera's post, the first reply already had the gzip switch in, that's what the z is for :)

The additional switch was v which turns on verify.

Originally posted by chirpy
The additional switch was v which turns on verify.

v is for verbose :)

Quite right, should have checked what _I_ posted when correcting someone :rolleyes: