What is the purpose of extracting a file

Hello

A rar file is a compressed file.

This means it is a file containing other files, kind of like a wardrobe can hold several things.

To extract is to take the files out of the wardrobe and place them directly on your PC.

--
Light a fire for someone and they will be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his life.
-Terry Pratchett-