How to delete files keeping the files listed in a text file -urgent

jeesun · 10-19-2011, 07:30 PM

Hi

I could better explain here rather than the subject. ;-)

I have huge number of files under a directory in Linux. And i have listed them in a text file. But our aplications team exclude some files from the list and told us to delete all files except the files excluded in the text file.

in general, delete all files from the directory to keep the files listed in that text file.

allend · 10-19-2011, 07:44 PM

Perhaps you could use 'comm -3 --check-order file1 file2' to create a list of files to be deleted.

Or, move the files to be kept to a temporary directory, and then move them back after deleting everything.

Wellesly · 10-19-2011, 10:28 PM

To delete all of the files listed in the text file, the following command works.

Code:

for file in `xargs < file-list.txt`; do rm /path/to/files/$file; done

This assumes that there are no spaces in the file names, and it assumes that the excluded files are not listed in this text file.

jeesun · 10-20-2011, 06:55 PM

Hi Allend

thanks for your thought. It might be a way, not simple but workable.

I've got the solution, but if any intelligent idea i'will remain open this thread.

TB0ne · 10-21-2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeesun

Hi Allend
thanks for your thought. It might be a way, not simple but workable. I've got the solution, but if any intelligent idea i'will remain open this thread.

That's actually a bit insulting.

You were given three ideas on how to do this task, but are keeping the thread open for 'intelligent' ones?? How about posting your intelligent solution, since you say you came up with one??