Unzipping a directory is a common task for Linux users, especially when working with compressed files. The process of unzipping a directory involves extracting the contents of a compressed file while retaining the original directory structure. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to unzip a directory in Linux using command-line tools.
What is Unzip?
Unzip is a command-line utility used to extract files from a ZIP archive. It is pre-installed on most Linux distributions and can be used to extract both compressed and uncompressed files.
How to Unzip a Directory in Linux
Here are the steps to unzip a directory in Linux:
Step 1: Open the Terminal
To begin, open the Terminal in your Linux distribution. You can do this by pressing “Ctrl + Alt + T” or by searching for “Terminal” in your application launcher.
Step 2: Navigate to the Directory
Navigate to the directory where the compressed file is located using the “cd” command. For example, if the compressed file is located in the Downloads folder, you can navigate to it using the following command:
cd Downloads/
Step 3: Unzip the Directory
To unzip a directory, use the “unzip” command followed by the name of the compressed file. For example, if the compressed file is called “my_directory.zip”, you can use the following command to extract it:
unzip my_directory.zip
This will extract the contents of the compressed file into a new directory with the same name as the compressed file. The original compressed file will remain intact.
Step 4: View the Extracted Files
To view the extracted files, navigate to the new directory using the “cd” command. For example, if the compressed file was called “my_directory.zip”, the new directory will be called “my_directory”. You can navigate to it using the following command:
cd my_directory/
You can now view the extracted files using the “ls” command.
Conclusion
Unzipping a directory in Linux is a simple process that can be accomplished using the “unzip” command. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can extract the contents of a compressed file while retaining the original directory structure.