The Linux 'unzip' Command

Zipping files is an easy, efficient way to transfer data between computers and servers. When files are compressed, they not only save disk space on a local drive but also make it easier and more convenient to download files from the internet, using far less bandwidth in most cases than sending full-size files.

After you receive a zipped archive, decompress it with a single Linux command. The unzip command supports many switches to customize how the command works.

The basic syntax for decompressing a file is:

unzip filename

Assume you've zipped an archive titled sample.zip that contains three text files. To unzip this file to the current folder, run the following command:

unzip sample.zip

Alternatively, use the graphical user interface for your desktop environment to extract zip files. Each DE uses different approaches, but in general, a right-click on the zipped file and an uncompress or extract menu option will get you started.

Use the following options to modify how the base unzip command works:

• -d /path/to/extact/location: Unzip an archive to a different directory.
• -j: Unzip without creating new folders, if the zipped archive contains a folder structure.
• -l: Lists the contents of an archive file without extracting it.
• -n: Do not overwrite existing files; supply an alternative filename instead.
• -o: Overwrite files, if relevant.
• -P password: Supplies a password to unzip a protected archive file.
• -q: Unzips without writing status messages to the standard output.
• -t: Tests whether an archive file is valid.
• -v: Displays detailed (verbose) information about the archive without extracting it.
• -x filename: Extract the archive but do not extract the specified files.