backports.tarfile
Backport of CPython tarfile module
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need specific tarfile enhancements not available in your Python version's standard library. The permissive MIT license, zero runtime dependencies, and active maintenance make it low-risk. However, verify first that the standard library tarfile doesn't already meet your needs.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.8 or later
- Low install friction with no runtime dependencies.
- Actively maintained as of 2026-04-13, marked production-stable and supporting current Python versions.
License · maintenance · safety
permissive license (permissive) — MIT license (permissive) means you can use, modify, and distribute this package freely with minimal restrictions, making it safe for both open-source and commercial projects.
last release 2024-05-28 (808 days) · last repo commit 2026-04-13 · 5 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 77,426,997 downloads/mo, #440 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install backports.tarfile==1.2.0
import tarfile
with tarfile.open('archive.tar.gz') as tar:
tar.extractall()- Which specific tarfile enhancements or bug fixes this backport provides compared to the standard library
- Whether this backport is necessary for your Python version or if the standard library tarfile already includes needed features
What it is and what it does
backports.tarfile is a backport of CPython's tarfile module for Python 3.8+. It has no runtime dependencies and installs as a pure Python wheel, making it lightweight and portable.
The package exists to provide access to tarfile improvements that may not yet be available in the standard library version bundled with your Python installation. It's useful when you need specific tarfile functionality that was added in a newer Python version but your project must support an older release.
Use it for
- Use it when you need newer tarfile features but must maintain compatibility with Python 3.8+
- Use it to ensure consistent tar handling behavior across multiple Python versions
- Use it to access bug fixes in tarfile that haven't been backported to your installed Python version
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need specific tarfile enhancements not available in your Python version's standard library.
The permissive MIT license, zero runtime dependencies, and active maintenance make it low-risk. However, verify first that the standard library tarfile doesn't already meet your needs.
Install
backports-tarfile on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. Actively maintained as of 2026-04-13, marked production-stable and supporting current Python versions.
Requires Python 3.8 or later
License in practice
MIT license (permissive) means you can use, modify, and distribute this package freely with minimal restrictions, making it safe for both open-source and commercial projects.
Quickstart
pip install backports.tarfile==1.2.0
import tarfile
with tarfile.open('archive.tar.gz') as tar:
tar.extractall()Verify before relying
- Which specific tarfile enhancements or bug fixes this backport provides compared to the standard library
- Whether this backport is necessary for your Python version or if the standard library tarfile already includes needed features
Package facts
| License | permissive license permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.8 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 808 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 77,426,997 / month, #440 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: Only |
Evidence: backports.tarfile-1.2.0-py3-none-any.whl
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See also unix-ar · fastar · backports.ssl · backports.entry-points-selectable