Sunday, February 09, 2025
Ark (formerly called KZip) is the archive manager application of Kubuntu. Ark is part of KDE (Kool Desktop Environment) which is the technology that builts up the desktop as well as the collection of apps and games of Kubuntu. We introduce Ark here to help new users to Kubuntu getting started with their new computing in GNU/Linux world. Now let's start reading and learning!
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Logo
This is Ark logo.
It looks like a grey box with a black, vertical large zipper in the middle.
Screenshots
Below are screenshots of Ark in actions. Click picture to enlarge.
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(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
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(d) |
(e) |
(f) |
Where:
(a) Ark on first run. It is actually a simple, plain window.
(c) Ark showing contents of a ZIP compressed archive.
(d) Ark creating a new archive in TAR format combined with GZIP compression. Degree of compression slider is also shown.
(e) Ark creating a new compressed archive in the popular ZIP format. Password protection option is also shown. A warning of compatibility with other programs is shown, too.
(f) Ark creating a new compressed archive in the strong-compression 7ZIP format. Password protection option is also shown. No warning shown.
Description
Ark is KDE file archiving tool as well as the archive manager of Kubuntu. In the past, it was called KZip. The 'K' in Ark name indicates that. Ark is used for viewing, creating and extracting archive as well as compressed archive files, with and without password protection, such as ZIP, TAR, RAR etc. Ark provides graphical user interface (GUI) for most users --people who prefer mouse clicks-- as well as command line interface (CLI) to power users --people who prefer typing commands-- including a special feature called batch mode. To Kubuntu users, Ark holds the same position as WinRAR* to Windows user. To programmers, Ark is written in C++ language with KDE and Qt Frameworks. Ark is free software licensed under GNU General Public License.
(Ark showing its main window and About window running on Kubuntu 20.04 laptop)
*) Although WinRAR is a third-party and not built-in program, it is very popular to them.
Purposes
- View contents of archive files including ISO images.
- Create archive files.
- Add, remove, edit contents of archive file.
- Compress files and folders.
- Reduce size of files and folders without removing their contents.
- Password protect archive files.
- Provide GUI for most users as well as CLI for power users.
- To make file transfers easier and simpler.
Commands and Integration with Kubuntu Desktop
To run Ark, there are several ways. Pick one of methods below:
1. Click applications launcher -> Applications -> Utilities -> Ark.
2. Click application launcher -> type ark -> click Ark.
3. Press Alt+F2 -> KRunner appears on the top -> type ark -> press Enter.
4. Double-click an archive file -> Ark runs.
5. Right-click an archive file -> Open with -> Ark.
6. Ark is also available on right-click menu as Compress... command.
7. Ark is also available on right-click menu as Extract... command.
8. Run Konsole -> type ark -> press Enter -> Ark runs.
(Kubuntu showing applications launcher opened and Ark selected under mouse cursor)
Supported Formats
zip - ZIP compressed archive.
tar - Tape Archive. No compression.
tar.gz - Tape Archive combined with GZIP compression.
tar.bz2 - Tape Archive combined with BZIP2 compression.
tar.xz - Tape Archive combined with XZ compression.
iso - ISO Image file.
appimage - AppImage application image file.
7zip - Seven ZIP Compressed Archive.
deb - Debian Package, the format of Debian and Ubuntu family software executable file.
rpm - Red Hat Package Manager, the format of Red Hat and Mandriva family software executable file.
jar - Java Archive or Java Application Executable.
rar* - RAR proprietary compressed archive.
and many more.
*) To open RAR, Ark needs additional software from unar package (free) or unrar (nonfree). Please keep note that "free" means freedom and "non-free" means restricted to the users.
Important!
The format RAR is a proprietary as well as patent-encumbered format i.e. hostile to our Free Software Community. That's why we are limited to access RAR unlike what we can do to ZIP or TAR format. We strongly recommend you to not use RAR or convert your existing RAR to a free (libre) format such as ZIP or TAR.GZ.
Location on the Screen and System
1. Ark can be accessed from application launcher ("start menu"). (explained above)
2. Ark can also be accessed from right-click a file or an archive. (explained above)
3. Ark can also be accessed from Alt+F2 by typing "ark."
4. Ark is located in the filesystem:
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/usr/bin/ark for the executable file
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/usr/share/icons for the icon
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/usr/share/applications for the desktop shortcut
(Dolphin showing location of the actual ark executable file under /usr/bin directory and under mouse cursor visible as a shared library by 150 KB size)
Documentation and User Manual for Ark
Pressing F1 when running Ark will show Help for Ark. Click picture to enlarge.
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The Ark Handbook |
Chapter 1. Introduction |
Similar Programs
File Roller (archive manager of Ubuntu GNOME)
PeaZip (archive manager of all operating systems)
Contributing to Ark
Because Ark is part of KDE, donating to KDE is the way to help fund Ark development. Contributing is also done via joining KDE either by programming, debugging, suggesting ideas, reporting bugs, designing, documenting, translating etc. for Ark. Everyone wants to contribute can visit and learn from Official Webpage, Bug Tracker, Code Repository and Donation Webpage mentioned below at the section References.
See Also
File Roller - the archive manager of Ubuntu (GNOME)
List of Ubuntu (GNOME) Default Applications and Their Purposes
In This Series
List of Kubuntu (KDE) Default Applications and Their Purposes
-> Go next to Discover
<- Go back to Index
References
This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Originally posted here: https://ift.tt/lqDX1j2
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