i didnt get how do i create an archive packages (tar, gz, deb)

[dinbrca]

how do i create an archive packages..?
i started to learn how to archive files from:
http://www.linux.org/lessons/beginner/l15/lesson15a.html
i first created a txt file and then i got into the directory where the text file is and then i entered:
tar -cvf *.txt
and it says:
"
tar: Cowardly refusing to create an empty archive
Try `tar --help' or `tar --usage' for more information.
"
what should i do now?

[Kevbert]

tar cf file.tar myfile.txt
Create a tar file called file.tar containing myfile.txt or

tar czf file.tar.gz myfile.txt
Create a tar file called file.tar.gz (with gzip compression) containing myfile.txt

[dinbrca]

and create deb?
dpkg -b file.deb *
?

[Kevbert]

Yes, but have a look at this (http://www.linuxdevices.com/articles/AT8047723203.html) first.