does the rm command permanetly remove a file?

flyboy320 · 03-06-2002, 07:50 PM

I know when running xwindows, and you delete a file, it goes to the trash, and then you have to empty the trash to permanently delete the file. What happens when you are not under xwindows, but in a terminal window and type "rm <filename>"? Does this permanently remove the file, or does it store it somewhere else first like in a trash directory?

pperon · 03-06-2002, 08:02 PM

Yes, as far as I know 'rm' *will* permanently remove a file.

-p

therion12 · 03-06-2002, 08:16 PM

Yep, rm just deletes it. Windows doesn't actually delete a file when you press delete. Actually the file just gets moved into another directory (trash) so you can empty it later on.

But if you use KDE or GNOME and the alike, you will notice it will be like windows where when you delete crap it will go to the trash.

neo77777 · 03-06-2002, 10:22 PM

If you perform rm on a soft link (symlink) it will remove the link but the file it points to stays intact

kausik · 03-07-2002, 12:01 AM

Please check this site for your answer.

http://recover.sourceforge.net/linux/

This site describes u a better solution -

http://www.linux-mag.com/2000-08/desktop_01.html

Kausik