tar -czvpf <outfile> <input>

c = create
z = gzip
v = verbose
p = permissions
f = file

NB! to create archive without the leading path change to the source directory before running the tar command. Alternatively use the -C folder switch.

tar -xzvpf <infile>

x = extract
z = gzip
v = verbose
p = permissions
f = file

tar -C <output directory> -xzvpf <infile>

C = path
x = create
z = gzip
v = verbose
p = permissions
f = file