Dealing with RAR Files

Depending on the online circles you run in, you may or may not already be familiar with RAR files. In simplest terms, RAR is just another way of compressing data for ease of transfer, backup, encryption, etc. It mostly got around the “underground” scene, but lately I’ve been seeing it show up in Neverwinter Nights module listings and similar places.

RARLab is the main distributor, and the RAR software itself is available for download. Like WinZip, it’s initially free as a demo, but after 40 days you’re going to need to purchase a license (a full feature comparison between WinZip and WinRAR can be found here). WinRAR is the Windows GUI version; on Linux and other OSes you’re going to be dealing with the command line.

If you find you only need to open RAR files rather than create new ones, there’s better news — UnRAR is available as freeware. It too only runs off the command line, but at least you won’t be stuck with a file you can’t handle when someone sends a RAR archive your way. Binaries and source code for UnRAR can be found here.

If you absolutely have to have a GUI, check out jrar or other projects on SourceForge.