Open USTAR File

The USTAR format is an extension of the TAR file format that was first proposed in 1985 for storing files on magnetic tape. Nowadays, it's ubiquitously used in digital platforms for various data compression and archival needs. It can handle file names of up to 256 characters in length, compared to the original TAR format, which was limited to 100 characters. There are several possible formats and ways to open and use files with USTAR file extensions.

Understanding USTAR File Format

The USTAR (Unix Standard Tar) format is a widely accepted standard for data interchange, especially in Unix-like operating systems. The USTAR format is notably more advanced than its predecessor, supporting longer file names and larger file sizes. For more info on tar and Ustar file formats, you may want to visit GNU Tar manual.

Opening USTAR Files

Opening USTAR files usually requires a specific software. These files may be opened using popular programs such as 7-Zip or WinRAR on Windows, or through the terminal on Unix systems using the `tar` command. Here is a helpful tutorial for the latter.

Other Uses of USTAR Files

Besides data compression and archival, USTAR files play a critical role in software development and distribution. Many open-source software and applications are distributed as USTAR files (often with the .tar, .tar.gz or .tgz extension). Extracting these files gives access to the application source code or executable, which can be further used for software installation or modification.

USTAR Files and Data Recovery

One of the lesser-known uses of USTAR files is in data recovery. Due to their robust structure, files compressed and archived using USTAR are resilient towards data corruption. Even if some parts of the USTAR file are corrupted, it's often possible to recover the remainder of the file. More on this topic can be found at this link.

USTAR File Important Information

It's important to keep in mind that USTAR files, like any other file type, are susceptible to malware if downloaded from insecure sources. Therefore, to ensure the safety of your data and system, always download USTAR files from trusted sources and scan new files for vulnerabilities before executing them. Also, ensure that you understand the file's content before opening it- USTAR can contain any type of file, including potentially harmful ones. Therefore, always scan with antivirus software, like AVG, and only open files from trusted sources.