7zr is a file archiver that shares similarities with 7z but has a specific focus on supporting .7z files. It is known for its high compression ratio, which allows for significant reduction in file sizes. However, it differs from 7z in terms of the supported file types.
The primary distinction of 7zr is that it exclusively supports the .7z file format. This means that it can compress files into .7z archives and decompress files from .7z archives. The .7z format is the native format associated with the 7-Zip software and is widely recognized for its efficient compression algorithm, which helps reduce the size of files while preserving their integrity.
As 7zr only supports the .7z format, it may not be as versatile as other archiving tools that support multiple file formats. However, if your specific requirement involves working exclusively with .7z files, 7zr can be a convenient and effective option.
Similar to other tools in the 7-Zip family, 7zr achieves its high compression ratio through the use of the LZMA algorithm. This algorithm employs a combination of dictionary compression, entropy coding, and other techniques to efficiently compress and decompress files, resulting in smaller file sizes without sacrificing data integrity.
To use 7zr, you typically interact with it via a command-line interface, providing commands to create .7z archives, extract files from .7z archives, and perform other operations related to the .7z format.
7zr Command Examples
1. [a]rchive a file or directory:
# 7zr a /path/to/archive.7z /path/to/file_or_directory
2. Encrypt an existing archive (including file names):
# 7zr a /path/to/encrypted.7z -p[password] -mhe=on /path/to/archive.7z
3. E[x]tract an archive preserving the original directory structure:
# 7zr x /path/to/archive.7z
4. E[x]tract an archive to a specific directory:
# 7zr x /path/to/archive.7z -o /path/to/output
5. E[x]tract an archive to stdout:
# 7zr x /path/to/archive.7z -so
6. [l]ist the contents of an archive:
# 7zr l /path/to/archive.7z
7. List available archive types:
# 7zr i
Summary
Overall, 7zr is a specialized file archiver that focuses solely on supporting .7z files. It offers a high compression ratio and can efficiently compress and decompress files in the .7z format. While it may have limited compatibility with other file formats, it can be an excellent choice if you specifically require compression and extraction of .7z archives.