When it comes to file compression formats, two popular options are TAR and RAR. While they both serve the purpose of compressing files, there are some key differences between the two.
Firstly, let’s talk about TAR. TAR stands for Tape Archive, and as the name suggests, it was initially developed for archiving files onto magnetic tape. However, it is now commonly used for creating compressed archives on various storage mediums. One of the main advantages of TAR is its ability to compress multiple files into a single tar file, making it convenient for bundling and organizing files. This means that you can select multiple files and compress them all together into one tar file.
On the other hand, RAR is a proprietary file format developed by RARLAB. RAR stands for Roshal Archive, named after its creator. One of the standout features of RAR is its ability to split up compressed archives into multiple parts. This can be useful when dealing with large files, as it allows you to split them into smaller, more manageable parts. These parts, or volumes, can then be stored on separate storage devices or transmitted individually. This splitting feature is not available in other compression formats like TAR or ZIP.
Another difference between TAR and RAR is the compression algorithm used. TAR uses a basic compression algorithm known as Lempel-Ziv (LZ77), which provides decent compression ratios but may not be as efficient as other algorithms. RAR, on the other hand, uses a more advanced compression algorithm called RAR compression. This algorithm is known for its high compression ratios and the ability to handle various file types effectively.
In terms of compatibility, TAR files can be opened and extracted on most operating systems without the need for any additional software. This is because TAR is a standard format that is widely supported. RAR files, however, require specific software like WinRAR or 7-Zip to be opened and extracted. Although RAR software is available for multiple platforms, it is not as universally supported as TAR.
To sum up, the main difference between TAR and RAR lies in their capabilities and features. TAR is great for bundling multiple files into a single archive, while RAR excels at splitting large archives into smaller parts. TAR is more widely supported, whereas RAR requires specific software for extraction. It’s important to consider these factors when choosing between the two formats based on your specific needs and requirements.