How do I compress a directory?

[Death2020]

Hey guys I was wondering how would I gzip 7z tar or just regular zip a directory like this /var/Backups/Tones regular gzip won't do it because Tones is a directory and this site ss64.com/bash doesn't really tell much and I've searched google but what those people are talking about is computer based not mobile and I'd like to also make the archive password protected if its possible!

I've got this my problem is now is that it isn't creating a password for the archive any ideas/suggestions?

#!/bin/bash
cd /var/Backups
7z a -p{xd7@9#25ad$k} Tones.tar.7z

if 7z q -p{xd7@9#25ad$k} Tones.tar.7z Tones.tar; then
* rm Tones.tar
fi

exit 0

[atreyu]

how about something like this?

cd /var/Backups
zip --encrypt Tones.zip Tones/*

[Death2020]

Is there a way I can create my own password for this that way when it gets archived it already has a set default password?

[atreyu]

Is there a way I can create my own password for this that way when it gets archived it already has a set default password?

i don't follow...it prompts you to enter a password when you say "zip --encrypt"

[Death2020]

I know that but I want it to enter the password automatically for when the zip gets created it don't ask the user to create the password

[atreyu]

I know that but I want it to enter the password automatically for when the zip gets created it don't ask the user to create the password

it is insecure, but you can pass it as a command line argument, e.g.:

zip -P testpassword foo.zip /path/to/file