What does `xz` do? Flags & examples explained

xz examples, explained

$ xz -9 big.log

xzcompress or decompress files with the LZMA2 algorithm (.xz)
-9use the maximum compression level (slowest, smallest)
big.logan argument passed to the command

$ xz -dk archive.xz

xzcompress or decompress files with the LZMA2 algorithm (.xz)
-ddecompress
-kkeep — don't delete the input file after (de)compressing
archive.xzan argument passed to the command

$ xz -T0 data.tar

xzcompress or decompress files with the LZMA2 algorithm (.xz)
-Tuse this many worker threads (0 = one per CPU)
-0use the fastest compression level (largest)
data.taran argument passed to the command

xz flags & options

-0	use the fastest compression level (largest)
-9	use the maximum compression level (slowest, smallest)
-z	compress (the default action)
-d	decompress
-k	keep — don't delete the input file after (de)compressing
-f	force overwrite of the output and (de)compress even unusual files
-c	write to standard output; leave files unchanged
-l	list information about the compressed .xz file
-t	test the integrity of the compressed file
-e	use extra effort for a slightly smaller file
-T	use this many worker threads (0 = one per CPU)
-v	verbose — show progress and stats
--threads	use this many worker threads (0 = one per CPU)
--keep	keep — don't delete the input file
--decompress	decompress

Other commands

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