zip The .ZIP file extension format is a file archive and data compression format originally developed and released in 1989 by Phil Katz. With compatible zip format software, a file or a group of files can be packed (compressed) into a single .zip archive which can later be unpacked (decompressed). The zip file archive format facilitates the distribution of multiple files as single archives particularly over the internet and networked systems. Many operating systems have native support for the file format and can usually open zip archives without the need for third party software. Microsoft windows for instance has had native support for the ZIP format since Microsoft Windows 98, similarly Apple's Mac OS includes ZIP support through its default archive file handle Archive Utility.
tbz2 .bz2 is the filename extension associated with the bzip2 data compression format. It is an open source data compression and decompression tool developed by Julian Seward in 1996. The compression and decompression format is cross platform compatible and comes bundled with versions of Linux and UNIX. The latest of Bzip2 exists as an open source library for download and customization. Earlier versions have executables that can be run directly on Microsoft Windows.