# Archive

### Overview

The **Archive** component allows you to create a ZIP or TAR archive from a set of files. You can also append files to an existing archive, provided it matches the specified format.

### Input Parameters

| Parameter       | Type     | Required | Description                                                                                  |
| --------------- | -------- | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `outputFormat`  | `string` | ✅        | The format of the archive file. Options: `zip`, `tar`.                                       |
| `fileName`      | `string` | ✅        | The name of the output archive file, including the extension.                                |
| `files`         | `object` | ❌        | List of files to be added to the archive. Each file is represented by its `fileId`.          |
| `archiveFileID` | `string` | ❌        | The ID of an existing archive file. If provided, new files will be appended to this archive. |

### Output Parameters

| Parameter  | Type     | Description                                                 |
| ---------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| `fileId`   | `string` | The unique ID of the newly created or updated archive file. |
| `fileName` | `string` | The name of the archive file.                               |

### Instructions

1. **Select Output Format:**
   * Choose between `zip` or `tar` as the output format.
2. **Provide File Name:**
   * Specify a name for the archive file, ensuring it includes the appropriate extension (`.zip` or `.tar`).
3. **Add Files to Archive:**
   * Upload or select files using their `fileId`.
   * If an `archiveFileID` is provided, new files will be appended to the existing archive.
4. **Processing:**
   * The component processes and creates the archive, returning the generated file’s `fileId` and `fileName`.

### Use Cases

* **Batch File Compression**: Combine multiple files into a single ZIP or TAR archive.
* **Incremental Archiving**: Append files to an existing archive for ongoing data collection.
* **Data Backup & Export**: Store or transfer multiple files efficiently as a single archive.

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