Convert JAR to TAR

Understanding JAR and TAR file formats

JAR (Java ARchive) is a package file format typically used to aggregate many Java class files and associated metadata and resources (text, images, etc.) into one file for distribution. JAR files are based on the ZIP format and are commonly used for Java applications and libraries.

TAR (Tape Archive) is a widely used file format for collecting many files into one archive file, often used in Unix and Linux environments. Unlike JAR, TAR does not compress files by default; it simply bundles them together.

Why convert JAR to TAR?

Converting a JAR file to a TAR file may be necessary if you need to extract the contents of a JAR and repackage them for use in Unix-based systems, or for compatibility with tools that require TAR archives.

How to convert JAR to TAR

Since both JAR and TAR are archive formats, the conversion process involves extracting the contents of the JAR file and then creating a new TAR archive from those files. This is a two-step process:

1. Extract the JAR file (since it's a ZIP archive, you can use any ZIP extraction tool).
2. Create a TAR archive from the extracted files.

Best software for JAR to TAR conversion

• 7-Zip (Windows):
  • Right-click the JAR file and select 7-Zip → Extract Here.
  • Select the extracted files, right-click, and choose 7-Zip → Add to archive....
  • Set the archive format to tar and click OK.
• WinRAR (Windows):
  • Open the JAR file, extract its contents.
  • Select the extracted files, right-click, and choose Add to archive....
  • Select TAR as the archive format and create the archive.
• Command line (Linux/macOS):
  • Extract the JAR: unzip myfile.jar -d myfolder
  • Create TAR: tar -cvf myfile.tar -C myfolder .

Online converters

There are few reliable online converters for JAR to TAR due to the need for extraction and repackaging. For privacy and security, it is recommended to use local tools like 7-Zip or the command line.

Summary

To convert a JAR file to a TAR file, extract the JAR contents and re-archive them as a TAR file using tools like 7-Zip, WinRAR, or the command line. This ensures compatibility with Unix-based systems and tools that require TAR archives.