What is a .CPIO file?
The file extension .CPIO refers to a Unix CPIO Archive. This type of file is an archive created using the Unix CPIO (Copy In, Copy Out) format. It is primarily used to gather multiple files into a single container, making it easier to manage and transport them as a group. This format is similar to a .TAR archive, which is another common file grouping format in Unix-based systems.
A .CPIO file is typically uncompressed by default, meaning it does not reduce the size of the contained files for storage efficiency. However, it can be compressed to save space using Gzip compression, resulting in a .CPGZ file.
To open or work with a .CPIO file, you can use various software programs depending on your operating system: 1. **GNU cpio** - This is a standard tool available on Unix-like operating systems for managing CPIO archives. It allows you to create, extract, and manage .CPIO files directly from the command line.
2. **ditto** - A command-line utility available on macOS that can work with .CPIO files among other formats.
3. **Apache Commons Compress** - A Java library that supports various compression and archive formats, including .CPIO. It is suitable for developers looking to handle these files within Java applications.
4. **File Viewer Plus** - Available from the Microsoft Store, this application supports viewing and extracting content from a wide range of file formats, including .CPIO.
5. **PeaZip** - A free file archiver utility that provides comprehensive support for various archive formats including .CPIO. It is available for Windows and Linux.
6. **Apple Archive Utility** - Included with macOS, this utility automatically handles the extraction of .CPIO files when you open them.
7. **Incredible Bee Archiver** - A software for macOS that allows users to manage archives and compress files, supporting .CPIO files among others.
8. **The Unarchiver** - A versatile archiving tool available for macOS that can handle many different types of archive formats, including .CPIO.
9. **Web-based tools like 123apps Archive Extractor** - These are accessible via a web browser and allow you to extract files from .CPIO archives without needing to install software on your computer.
These tools provide various functionalities, from simple extraction to more complex management of archive contents, catering to different needs whether for personal use or development purposes.
Verification
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