A .tar.xz file is a compressed archive, combining the functionalities of two distinct tools: tar and xz. The tar (Tape Archive) utility is used to bundle multiple files and directories into a single archive file, preserving directory structure and file metadata like permissions and timestamps. This makes it convenient for distributing or backing up collections of files. The resulting tar archive is then compressed using the xz compression algorithm. XZ is a lossless data compression format employing the LZMA2 algorithm, known for its high compression ratio and relatively fast decompression speeds. This combination results in a single file that is both an archive of multiple files and highly compressed, saving storage space and bandwidth during transfer. The .tar.xz format is commonly used in Linux distributions for distributing software packages, system images, and other large collections of files. It offers a good balance between compression efficiency and processing speed, making it a popular choice for archiving and distributing data.