SHAR File – What is .shar file and how to open it?

Introduction to SHAR Files

A SHAR file, an acronym for Shell Archive, is a compressed archive file format used primarily on Unix-based operating systems. It combines a shell script with a compressed tar archive, making it both a self-extracting and portable archive. The shell script provides instructions for extracting the archive’s contents, which are typically a collection of files and directories.

Characteristics of SHAR Files

SHAR files are characterized by their .shar file extension. They are created using the shar utility, which is commonly found on Unix-based systems. The shell script within a SHAR file is written in the Bourne shell language, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of Unix systems. The tar archive is compressed using various compression algorithms, such as gzip or bzip2, to reduce the file size.

SHAR files offer several advantages. They are self-extracting, eliminating the need for separate extraction tools. They are also portable, as they can be extracted on any Unix-based system with the Bourne shell installed. Additionally, SHAR files preserve file permissions and timestamps, ensuring the integrity of the extracted contents.

Opening SHAR Files on Windows:

Opening SHAR files on Windows requires a compatible utility. One widely used option is the WinRAR archiver, a commercial software available for purchase. Once installed, you can right-click on the SHAR file, select “Open with,” and choose WinRAR. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the file into the WinRAR window. WinRAR will extract the contents of the SHAR archive, allowing you to access the files within.

Opening SHAR Files on Unix-like Systems:

On Unix-like systems, including macOS and Linux, opening SHAR files is relatively straightforward. The “shar” command is typically pre-installed on these systems. To extract the contents of a SHAR archive, type the following command in the Terminal:


shar -xf <file_name>.shar


This command will automatically extract the files from the SHAR archive and create the necessary directories. The extracted files will be located in the current working directory unless otherwise specified. You can use the “cd” command to navigate to the extracted directory.

Overview of SHAR Files

SHAR files, an abbreviation for Shell Archive, are archive files utilized on Unix-based systems. Developed in the early days of Unix, SHAR files serve as a portable means of packaging and distributing software and data across different Unix environments. They are text-based archives, with the file contents encoded using a simple shell script that can be executed on any Unix system to recreate the original files and directories.

Properties and Functionality

SHAR files offer several key advantages. Unlike binary archive formats, SHAR files are OS-independent, ensuring compatibility across various Unix platforms. They are also easily created and extracted using standard Unix commands, such as ‘shar’ and ‘unshar.’ Additionally, SHAR files support compression using various tools like ‘gzip’ or ‘bzip2,’ further reducing file size and facilitating efficient distribution. The self-extracting nature of SHAR files simplifies the extraction process, as the shell script within the archive automatically reconstructs the original files upon execution.

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