Removing non empty directiories

tolstyi · 11-16-2004, 08:37 AM

I untarred source code which created a directory with a large number of subdiretories with files in them. Now I don't need this directory anymore and I'd like to remove it.

I know

rmdir

will remove an empty directory, but won't touch it if there are other directories with files in it. Is there an easy way of removing the main directory with non-empty subdirectories in one or two easy commands, or am I stuck removing each file individually? Thanks

secesh · 11-16-2004, 08:40 AM

rm -rf

[edit]
... the classic quote 'rm -rf /' = NEVER DO

=remove -recursivly, force (don't prompt)
[/edit]

jonr · 11-16-2004, 09:25 AM

My favorite way to do this (and I do it a lot!) is to use Midnight Commander ("mc"), the file manager, probably either installed on your system or available for it.

It lets you see what you're dealing with and gives you a dialog box where you can choose to delete recursively or not.

Very, very handy. OK, it amounts to a GUI, but I think there are times when that's better than the command line. Just my preference.

Kreature · 11-16-2004, 11:10 AM

I like to rm -rf / all the time just for kicks!!!!!

tenmiles · 11-16-2004, 11:23 AM

i use fedora core 1 and i tried to delete /mnt/fat32 so i did rm /mnt/fat32 and nothing. so i looked it up in my handy dandy linux+ cert prep book (it is what i use as a guide book) and i found that it wants you to use the rmdir command. so try that and see if it helps.