quick & easy way to rmdir's ???

rythomas · 06-05-2002, 06:07 PM

Does anyone know of a quicker and easier way to remove files and (especially) directories other than just manually going in and rm * within a directory, then later just rmdir * once all is cleared out ???

vector · 06-05-2002, 06:18 PM

rm -rf

will clear everything out, without a word of warning.

-r remove the contents of directories recursively
-f ignore nonexistent files, never prompt

This will take care of it.

linuxcool · 06-05-2002, 06:49 PM

Be careful using this command. If you accidently run rm -rf /, it will delete everything.

Quote:

From Rashkae:

Important trick. -rf is a very dangerous switch, escpecially if used as root.. For safety, you should always put the -rf *after* the directory name. Example ' rm /home/here -rf ' [Enter]. God have mercy on your soul if your finger accidentally brushes the Enter key right when you have ' rm -rf / ' typed.

rythomas · 06-05-2002, 08:13 PM

I guess the main thing is to remove the directories quickly.
I don't believe this applies to rmdir ??

If there were a way to remove a couple dozen+ layered subdirectories, that would really help!!

thanks much

Sfin · 06-05-2002, 08:30 PM

Well that command stated above will remove subdirectories as well as files.

So lets Say you got a Directory Called Temp, and a Subdirectory called Temp2.

Temp
|__Temp2

rm Temp -rf

will delete the subdirectory Temp2, then the directory Temp.

linuxcool · 06-05-2002, 10:31 PM

rythomas, the rmdir command only removes empty directories.
rm <directory_name> -rf will remove the files, subdirectories, and the directory that holds the all files and subdirectories.

rythomas · 06-06-2002, 08:03 AM

Thank you all for your help, I was (and will continue to be) extremely careful, and it worked like a charm.

Thanks again & best wishes!

frieza · 06-06-2002, 09:01 AM

use a GUI., such as kde or gnome, the graphical file manager will allow you to delete the files with a 'trash can' like windows or mac is should be easier and safer than rm -rf

Rashkae · 06-06-2002, 12:14 PM

mc also works really well. It's a nice treat for those of us who still remember Norton Commander

linuxcool · 06-06-2002, 08:15 PM

You're welcome.

bkeating · 06-07-2002, 12:51 AM

definetly practice typing the path before you give rm arguments.

like: rm /home/bkeating/test.jpg -rf

instead of: rm -rf /home/bkeating/test.jpg

It's been brought up before, but im just repeating for the sake of saving you and anyone else reading from a big big 'oops'