xar

xar is a command line tool used to create, extract, and manipulate XAR (eXtensible ARchive) files on Unix-like operating systems.

XAR files are similar to ZIP or TAR files, but they have additional features specifically designed for macOS applications and system-level interactions.

The xar command can be used to create XAR archives by selecting files and directories and compressing them into a single archive file. It supports various compression algorithms, including lzma, bzip2, and gzip.

To extract files from a XAR archive, xar provides options to specify the destination directory and control the verbosity level of the extraction process.

In addition to archiving and extraction, xar can also perform different operations on XAR files, such as listing the contents of an archive, querying the metadata, and verifying the integrity of the archive.

It supports signing and verifying digital signatures on XAR files, allowing for secure file distribution and ensuring the integrity of the archives.

XAR files can contain executable scripts, metadata, and extended attributes, making them particularly useful for installer packages on macOS.

The xar command provides different options to manipulate these components within a XAR archive, allowing for customization and fine-grained modification.

Being a command line tool, xar is designed for use in script automation and integration into larger workflows, making it a versatile utility for managing XAR archives.

Overall, xar provides a comprehensive set of functions for creating, extracting, and managing sophisticated XAR archives on Unix-like systems, with a specific focus on macOS applications and system-level operations.