Why does this command not work?

[valid]

sudo tar -cvpzf backup25jan2013.tar.gz

[oz]

sudo tar -cvpzf backup25jan2013.tar.gz

What are you trying to achieve?

If you want to extract the tarred file, replace the c in the command with an x.

Note that the file will be extracted within the folder where it resides when you extract it using that command.

[valid]

Trying to achieve nothing. New to Linux and just running commands from online courses. It should of backup-ed the hd according to example on screen and would of been a tar ball. My understanding is a tar ball is more than 1 file and a tar file is just one.

[oz]

If it's homework, those questions are not allowed on the forums. Otherwise, you have to add the name of the directory or file that is to be compressed in order to create a tarball, like with the following:

tar -cvpzf backup25jan2013.tar.gz  file_or_folder_name

There is a bit more to it for backing up an entire system. Check the following article for details:

http://www.aboutdebian.com/tar-backup.htm

[valid]

I am a 56yr learning Linux to keep the brain going. Have several laps with Linux on them (Zorin and Mint 14). My goal is to be proficient by Dec 2013. Also would like to teach Grandson when the time comes. Thanks for your help.