[SOLVED] deleting *all* in current directory (bash)

jr_bob_dobbs · 02-27-2017, 05:53 PM

While I am not really a newb any more, this question seems newbie-ish to me so here it goes...

In a directory, if one types, "rm -rf *", everything is removed ... except for directories and files beginning with ".".

If one types "rm -rf ." again, one gets an error message and as before, directories and files beginning with "." are not deleted.

Short of a kludge involving sub-shells and the use of find, is there a good simple safe way to have the effect of "rm -rf" in the current directory *plus* the removal of files beginning with "."?

Thank you.

notKlaatu · 02-27-2017, 06:03 PM

First of all, I don't recommend the direct use of `rm`. I think it's a dangerous tool that should be avoided in favour of a good command line trash application, like trashy or trash-cli.

That said, you're looking for some expansion. Using `ls` instead of `rm` for copy-pasta safety:

Code:

ls {.,}*

That's a brace, dot, comma, brace, asterisk. It means anything with a dot, or anything with nothing.

hydrurga · 02-27-2017, 06:08 PM

If you're using Bash:

shopt -s dotglob

ensures that the * glob will subsequently match both unhidden and hidden files.

Habitual · 02-27-2017, 06:21 PM

I have similar trouble with this particular situation muh damn self.
I check my shit with

Code:

echo rm ...

b/c one rm is too many only "once".

Just sayin'

r3sistance · 02-27-2017, 06:30 PM

don't use rm for this, use find

Code:

# mkdir -p test/test
# echo "test" > test/.test.txt
# echo "test" > test/test.txt
# echo "test" > test/test/test.txt
# cd test
# find . -type f
./test/test.txt
./.test.txt
./test.txt
# find . -maxdepth 1 -type f
./.test.txt
./test.txt
# find . -maxdepth 1 -type f -delete
# find . -type f
./test/test.txt
# find . -type f -delete
# find . -type f

Find has more predictable behavior here, so I would say it is my preferred option. maxdepth can be used if you don't want to delete anything in any subdirectories. Else it'll catch all files in all subdirectories too.

Jjanel · 02-28-2017, 05:32 AM

Yes, be careful with this (I just accidentally deleted my .bashrc in experimenting with this)!

For quick simplicity, I add/use: .??*
Tho/but that will not get -single_letter- 'hidden' files, like .a
To check if there's any such [1letter dot-files], I then do: ls -d .?

Take a few minutes to look into the -d and how `echo` acts 'like' a `ls -d`

An important point here is to NOT 'hit' [match in `rm`] . and ..
(the current dir and it's 'parent')

Getting a bit more 'theoretical' here, note how .?* works
(-different- than in grep/regex!)
? matches any one character; * any zero or more; . a dot itself
echo .?*

jpollard · 02-28-2017, 06:53 AM

I tend to use:

rm -rf .[a-zA-Z0-9]*

or just

rm -rf .[a-z]*

pan64 · 02-28-2017, 07:16 AM

just:

Code:

cd ..
rm -rf <dir>
mkdir <dir>

Jjanel · 03-01-2017, 12:18 AM

Oh, it helps to ReallyRead#1

Quote:

a good simple safe way to have the effect of "rm -rf" in the current directory *plus* the removal of files beginning with "."?

While I realized #7 was more accurate than my #6, this #8 is *pure perfect GENIUS*

(I was about to suggest: cd ..; rm -fir $OLDPWD; mkdir $OLDPWD; cd $OLDPWD
but then realized that 'esoterically theoretical' != 'good simple safe'

)

OP, can you please use ThreadTools at top, to mark this thread as "[SOLVED]". Thanks!

John VV · 03-01-2017, 01:40 AM

use " srm" it may or may not be installed but the source is on sourceforge

https://sourceforge.net/projects/srm/files/

BUT as always use CAUTION

Habitual · 03-01-2017, 08:02 AM

Code:

alias rm="rm -i"

jr_bob_dobbs · 03-01-2017, 06:38 PM

Wow, not as simple a question as I had thought. Thank you, everyone, for the replies.

Now at some point, when I feel brave, to pick which method to try first.

jr_bob_dobbs · 03-01-2017, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jjanel

OP, can you please use ThreadTools at top, to mark this thread as "[SOLVED]". Thanks!

Is it solved?

I have to figure out each of the replies now and then attempt things etc. before such a determination can be made. Why the rush?

rknichols · 03-01-2017, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jr_bob_dobbs

Wow, not as simple a question as I had thought.

No, not simple at all unless you make use of the shell's "dotglob" option. Without that, to get everything:

Code:

rm -r .[^.]* ..?* *

The first matches every name that begins with a dot followed by any character except a dot. The second matches any name that begins with ".." followed by at least one more character. The final "*" matches all the non-dot files. It's messy enough to make you at least consider something else.

John VV · 03-01-2017, 10:40 PM

that is why i like " srm "

Code:

 srm -h
Usage: srm [OPTION]... [FILE]...
Overwrite and remove (unlink) the files. By default use the 35-pass Gutmann
method to overwrite files.

  -d, --directory       ignored (for compatability with rm(1))
  -f, --force           ignore nonexistant files, never prompt
  -i, --interactive     prompt before any removal
  -x, --one-file-system do not cross file system boundaries
  -s, --simple          overwrite with single pass using 0x00 (default)
  -P, --openbsd         overwrite with three passes like OpenBSD rm
  -D, --dod             overwrite with 7 US DoD compliant passes
  -E, --doe             overwrite with 3 US DoE compliant passes
  -G, --gutmann         overwrite with 35-pass Gutmann method
  -C, --rcmp            overwrite with Royal Canadian Mounted Police passes
  -r, -R, --recursive   remove the contents of directories
  -v, --verbose         explain what is being done
  -h, --help            display this help and exit
  -V, --version         display version information and exit

---------

this removes everything in that forled including folders and uses a 1 overwrite of ZEROS
example

Code:

:~> srm -sr *