[SOLVED] rm files that do not match a given pattern

elsheikhmh · 08-13-2010, 11:17 AM

Hello,

I'm trying to delete all the files in the current directory that doesn't match the pattern *.tex. Is there a switch in rm that inverts the match (something like grep's "-v" option)?

Thanks!

valen_tino · 08-13-2010, 02:35 PM

I don't think that there exists a switch for rm that inverts the match. One way is to output all files that don't have a .tex extension to a file and then read this file to remove the unwanted ones.

Code:

ls -l | grep -v .tex | awk '{print $9}' > /tmp/toremove.txt

Code:

while read linevar
do
rm -i $linevar
done < /tmp/toremove.txt

David the H. · 08-13-2010, 02:47 PM

Have a look at bash's extended globbing feature.

http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/...ended-globbing

PradeepKr · 08-13-2010, 03:12 PM

You can use xargs.

Something similar is seen here to find files having some pattern.

GrapefruiTgirl · 08-13-2010, 03:23 PM

Code:

sasha@reactor: find .  -maxdepth 1 -type f ! -iname "*.tex" -delete

suprstar · 08-13-2010, 03:57 PM

To expand on valen tino's post:

rm -f `ls -l | grep -v .tex | awk '{print $9}'`

joec@home · 08-13-2010, 04:35 PM

So many different methods to skin a cat. I like the following method as it allows you a clean way to review the commands before execution. Also it is good to use "drwx" to de-list and directories. Also some versions of ls will print a total bytes that you want to strip out for clean execution.

ls -la |grep -v drwx |grep -v total | grep -v .tex | awk '{print "rm -f " $8}'

Once you review the command and verify it is what you want then simply pipe to bash.

ls -la |grep -v drwx |grep -v total | grep -v .tex | awk '{print "rm -f " $8}' | bash

GrapefruiTgirl · 08-13-2010, 04:46 PM

To see what you're going to delete, without really doing any deleting, take what's in post #5 and remove the -delete from the end.

There's no need to have 3 greps and an awk to do this.

elsheikhmh · 08-13-2010, 06:43 PM

That's great. Thanks everyone for the help!

Kenny_Strawn · 08-13-2010, 06:54 PM

Here's what I would consider:

Code:

rm -rf $(ls -l | grep -v .tex | awk '{print $9}')

This will remove all files listed by the command in the '$()'.

Edit: You could also set a variable to include the command to use the rm -rf on:

Code:

export TOREMOVE="ls -l | grep -v *.tex | awk '{print $9}'"
rm -rf $TOREMOVE

madridlinuxgroup · 11-27-2010, 04:02 PM

Why don't you just man the rm command...

rm [!a]*

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crts · 11-27-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madridlinuxgroup

Why don't you just man the rm command...

rm [!a]*
...

Not only does this NOT help with the initial problem, but it will also delete ALL files in the current folder that do not start with an 'a'.

madridlinuxgroup · 11-28-2010, 01:45 PM

Uh, did you not read what he wants?

Ok, I just posted up the general solution but the idea is the same...

here's the original mail...

read it this time

----------------------------------

I'm trying to delete all the files in the current directory that doesn't match the pattern *.tex. Is there a switch in rm that inverts the match (something like grep's "-v" option)
-----------------------------------

He is trying to delete all of the files except those that match *.tex

So, if you use my original solution it's simple.

rm ./*[!.tex]

You guys flip me sometimes... you want a straight answer instead of just applying the logic. So there you have you answer.

Kind Regards,
John Ortega
Madrid Linux Users Group
http://madridlinuxgroup.blogspot.com
Join Us Below!
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crts · 11-29-2010, 10:40 AM

I guess what you actually mean is bash's extended globbing mechanism. But this is nothing specific to 'rm'.

Code:

rm ./!(*.tex)

Your command will exclude all files that have one of the characters '.,t,e,x' as part of their filename.
Look up

Code:

man bash

Search for 'extglob'. Will hopefully clear things up a bit.
Not sure if this option is available on all shells. So the above given solutions should be kept in mind.

madridlinuxgroup · 12-10-2010, 01:48 PM

I'm curios.

Did you actually try my solution?

Kind Regards,
John Ortega
Madrid Linux Users Group
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