Quick Answer
The correct command is `tar -czf backup.tar.gz data`. This works because the `-c` flag creates a new archive, `-z` pipes the archive through gzip compression, and `-f` specifies the output filename, allowing you to create a tar gz archive with gzip in a single step. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this tests your ability to combine tar options efficiently, a common task for backing up directories like `/var/log` or `/home`. A frequent trap is omitting the `-z` flag, which produces an uncompressed `.tar` file instead of a compressed `.tar.gz`—a mistake that costs points on performance-based tasks. Remember the mnemonic “Create Zip File” for `-czf`: Create, Zip (gzip), File.
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of essential tools. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An administrator needs to compress a directory 'data' into an archive named backup.tar.gz using gzip compression. Which command should they use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
gzip -r data > backup.tar.gz
Why wrong: Compresses files individually, not a tar archive.
tar -cjf backup.tar.gz data
Why wrong: Creates bzip2 archive, not gzip.
tar -xzf backup.tar.gz data
Why wrong: Extracts, does not create.
tar -czf backup.tar.gz data
Correct: -c create, -z gzip, -f file.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
tar -czf backup.tar.gz data
Option D is correct because the `tar -czf` command creates a compressed archive: `-c` creates a new archive, `-z` filters the archive through gzip compression, `-f` specifies the archive filename `backup.tar.gz`, and `data` is the directory to archive. This produces a tarball compressed with gzip, matching the requirement exactly.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
gzip -r data > backup.tar.gz
Why it's wrong here
Compresses files individually, not a tar archive.
tar -cjf backup.tar.gz data
Why it's wrong here
Creates bzip2 archive, not gzip.
tar -xzf backup.tar.gz data
Why it's wrong here
Extracts, does not create.
tar -czf backup.tar.gz data
Why this is correct
Correct: -c create, -z gzip, -f file.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is confusing the compression flags: Red Hat often tests whether candidates know that `-z` is for gzip, `-j` for bzip2, and `-J` for xz, and that `-c` creates while `-x` extracts.
Detailed technical explanation
The `tar` command combines multiple files into a single archive (tarball), and the compression flag (`-z`, `-j`, `-J`) determines the compression algorithm: gzip (`.tar.gz`), bzip2 (`.tar.bz2`), or xz (`.tar.xz`). Under the hood, `tar -czf` pipes the archive through `gzip` before writing to disk, achieving both archiving and compression in one step. In real-world scenarios, using the correct compression flag is critical for compatibility—many tools expect `.tar.gz` for gzip and will fail with `.tar.bz2`.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the EX200 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Essential Tools — This question tests Essential Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: tar -czf backup.tar.gz data — Option D is correct because the `tar -czf` command creates a compressed archive: `-c` creates a new archive, `-z` filters the archive through gzip compression, `-f` specifies the archive filename `backup.tar.gz`, and `data` is the directory to archive. This produces a tarball compressed with gzip, matching the requirement exactly.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This EX200 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the EX200 exam.
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