[SOLVED] Deleting directories except last two

chrisguk · 06-24-2020, 03:18 AM

I am trying to delete the directories inside another directory with the following command but for me on Debian 10 its not working:

Code:

ls -ltr $APPVER | awk -vvar=echo $APPVER/ '/^d/ {A++;X[++j]=$NF} END{for(i=1;i<=A-5;i++){print "rm -rf " var X[i]}}' | sh

I get this result:

Code:

sh: 1: 34mAPP-2.15/: not found

APP-2.15 being the directory name.

Can anyone assist?

crts · 06-24-2020, 05:00 AM

First, do not just copy paste and execute some code that you do not understand, especially if it involves deleting files/directories.

Second, do not parse the output from ls.

Third, your example lacks important information.
What is the value of $APPVER? How does it get assigned? What does the directory structure look like? What do you mean by "last" two directories? Directories at that are at depth < 2? Or the last two directories that are listed by ls?

chrisguk · 06-24-2020, 05:15 AM

I resolved it myself by using a different solution. This can be deleted/closed

crts · 06-24-2020, 05:24 AM

Please post your solution for others who may have a similiar problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisguk

I resolved it myself by using a different solution. This can be deleted/closed

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