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What is the etymology behind "-j" indicating bzip2 for tar?

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closed as off topic by soandos, Paul, Dennis, random♦ Jun 26 '12 at 1:29

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    There probably isn't a specific reason for why -j was used. -b and -B were already taken, so all obvious choices were impossible. Maybe it's because bzip2's developer is Julian Seward... – Dennis Jun 26 '12 at 1:12
  • Hi Max, welcome to SU - here is the faq. While this is a computer related question, it is off topic to post questions inviting discussions or otherwise don't have a technical solution. – Paul Jun 26 '12 at 1:20
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    @Paul Do you know of any stackexchange sites that would be appropriate for this question? – Max Nanasy Jun 26 '12 at 1:21
  • @MaxNanasy: In any case, this is a question that only the people involved in the decision can answer con authority. You could try the GNU tar mailing list. – Dennis Jun 26 '12 at 1:24
  • Sorry @MaxNanasy I don't. The switch was introduced in 2000 by Paul Eggert. Perhaps he is still around to ask? cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/tar/tar/… – Paul Jun 26 '12 at 1:27

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