SBN How to Open Zip and Tar Files

Zip files are compressed files and Tar files are tape archive format files preserving the directory structure of the files stored. Both of these file types are used for ease of storage, transport, and downloading of large files and directories like the data sets found in the SBN archives. A file extension similar to .tar.gz, with two file extensions are typically a combination of a compressed tar file. You would access the data set by first uncompressing (or unzipping) the file and then would extract the data set from the tar file.

A .zip file can be uncompressed on any platform under any operating system. To uncompress a .zip file, there are many free software packages available depending on your needs. We list a few for convenience here:

A .tar file can also be opened on any platform under any operating system. To open a .tar file, there are many free software packages available depending on your needs. We list a few for convenience here: