recursively remove directories

iAlta · 10-05-2007, 04:24 PM

Is there a tool that will let me recursively remove all empty directories in a directory?

{BBI}Nexus{BBI} · 10-05-2007, 05:17 PM

No special tool required. Open a terminal and type: rm -r -f (directory name). If you want to control what directories are deleted don't add the -f option.

ilikejam · 10-05-2007, 05:43 PM

Nooooooooo! rm -rf will remove EVERYTHING, not just the empty directories.

ilikejam · 10-05-2007, 05:48 PM

This should do the job:

Code:

find /path/to/top/directory -depth -type d -empty -exec rmdir {} \;

Dave

iAlta · 10-05-2007, 07:08 PM

LOL :-) I do believe you need root to delete all th econtent, or maybe that's just with rmdir...

I tried that, but I got this:

Code:

find: missing argument to `-exec'

ilikejam · 10-05-2007, 07:16 PM

Nope, rm -rf will remove everything that you have permissions to remove under the given directory.

As for the error, I'm not sure. The command works for me. Did you type it exactly as listed?

Dave

{BBI}Nexus{BBI} · 10-06-2007, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Nooooooooo! rm -rf will remove EVERYTHING, not just the empty directories.

Like I said, if you want control over what directories are deleted omit the -f option.

marco18 · 10-06-2007, 09:25 AM

Pretty good contribution ilikejam! Useful to me too. Thanks!