PKG.TAR.ZST File – What is .pkg.tar.zst file and how to open it?
PKG.TAR.ZST File Extension
Arch Linux Installation Package – file format by Arch Linux Team
PKG.TAR.ZST is an Arch Linux Installation Package developed by the Arch Linux Team. It is a compressed tar archive containing a package group with its metadata and dependencies, used for installing and managing software packages in Arch Linux.
Structure and Characteristics
A PKG.TAR.ZST file is an archive format used in Arch Linux, a popular rolling-release Linux distribution. It consists of a compressed tarball (.tar) further compressed with zstandard (.zst). The tarball (.tar) contains the package’s files, metadata, and installation instructions, while the zstandard compression (.zst) significantly reduces the file size for faster downloads and storage. This combination of compression techniques ensures efficient distribution of software packages within the Arch Linux ecosystem.
Installation Process
Arch Linux uses the Pacman package manager to manage and install software. To install a PKG.TAR.ZST package, users can utilize the “pacman -U” command followed by the package’s name. The package manager will automatically unpack the tarball, extract the files, and install the software according to the provided instructions. This process is straightforward and allows users to easily install and update software packages from Arch Linux repositories and the Arch User Repository (AUR). By leveraging the PKG.TAR.ZST format, Arch Linux simplifies software installation and distribution, contributing to the user-friendly and efficient nature of the operating system.
Extraction Tools:
To extract the contents of a PKG.TAR.ZST file, you need an archive management tool capable of handling both TAR and Zstandard compression formats. One comprehensive option is 7-Zip, a free and open-source tool available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports extracting PKG.TAR.ZST files by selecting “Extract Files” from its context menu. Alternatively, you can opt for PeaZip, another free and open-source archive manager compatible with a wide range of formats, including PKG.TAR.ZST. It offers a user-friendly interface and various extraction options.
Terminal Commands:
For Linux users proficient in command-line operations, extracting PKG.TAR.ZST files is straightforward using built-in utilities. The first step involves decompression using the zstd command:
zstd -d file.pkg.tar.zst
This will create a TAR file named file.pkg.tar. Next, extract the contents of the TAR file using the tar command:
tar -xvf file.pkg.tar
These commands will extract the package contents into the current directory, preserving directory structure and file permissions.
Arch Linux Installation Package (PKG.TAR.ZST)
PKG.TAR.ZST files are Arch Linux installation packages. They contain compressed tar archives of software packages, along with metadata about the package, such as its name, version, and dependencies. PKG.TAR.ZST files are used to install software on Arch Linux systems using the pacman package manager.
To install a PKG.TAR.ZST file, use the following command:
sudo pacman -U /path/to/package.pkg.tar.zst
PKG.TAR.ZST files are typically downloaded from the Arch Linux repositories. The repositories contain a wide variety of software packages, including both official and community-maintained packages. To search for a specific package, use the following command:
pacman -Ss package-name
Once you have found the package you want to install, you can download it using the following command:
sudo pacman -Sy package-name