Re: [Bug-tar] Re: Lzip support in GNU tar 1.23

[Antonio Diaz Diaz]

Kevin Day wrote:
> There is the possibility of making up a new extension suffix for lzip.

I like too much the current scheme; gzip --> .gz || lzip --> .lz


> However, on the other side of this argument, I do not think the
> extension should matter.  The purpose for identifying what a file is
> or is not is through the magic header.  The magic header between the
> two are different, so no matter what the extension may be a properly
> written program should be able to tell the difference and handle
> accordingly.

In fact, lzma lacks any magic header. This and the lack also of 
integrity checking were the motivations to write lzip in the first place.


> The magic header is pretty easy:
> modify buffer.c to have this:
>   { ct_lzip,     4, "LZIP",  "lzip", "--lzip" },

Then, as I wrote recently in the automake list, given the simplicity of 
the changes needed, I see no reason for not supporting lzip, which some 
developers[1] already dub "the currently best free compression program".
[1] ftp://ftp.gmplib.org/pub/snapshot/README


Best regards,
Antonio.