A single file that contains one or more files or directories that may have been compressed to save space. Archives are often used as a way to transport large numbers of related files across the Internet.
An archive file created under Unix may have the filename extension .TAR (for tape archive), .GZ (for gzip), or .Z (for compress or pack). Those created in Windows may have the filename extension .ZIP from the PKZIP or WinZip programs. Archive files created on a Macintosh will have the filename extension .SAE or .SIT from the StuffIt program.
An Internet host that provides access to large numbers of archive files is known as an archive site.