[SOLVED] A file name beginning with '\'.

stf92 · 03-07-2014, 08:11 AM

Hi: I do not know how to erase this file (the one whose name is \rendobj\r2255):

Code:

semoi@server:~/STORE1/Nonsoft/libros/chess/nuevo$ ls -l
total 118708
-rw-r--r-- 1 semoi semoi        0 2014-03-04 20:02 \rendobj\r2255
-rwxr-xr-x 1 semoi semoi 12706934 2014-03-04 19:13 1_Bishop_&_Knight.djvu*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 semoi semoi 11554110 2014-03-04 19:13 1_Bishop_&_Knight_Endings.pdf*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 semoi semoi 34122573 2014-03-04 19:13 2_Bishop_vs_Knight,_Rook_vs_Minor_Pieces.pdf*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 semoi semoi 12441969 2014-03-04 19:13 3_Queen_Endings.djvu*
-rw-r--r-- 1 semoi semoi     2840 2014-03-07 08:52 3_Queen_Endings.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 semoi semoi     2784 2014-03-07 07:00 3_Queen_Endings.txt~
-rwxr-xr-x 1 semoi semoi 14801249 2014-03-04 19:13 4_Pawn_Endings.djvu*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 semoi semoi 17780243 2014-03-04 19:13 4_Pawn_Endings.pdf*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 semoi semoi 17951098 2014-03-04 19:13 5_Rook_Endings.pdf*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 semoi semoi      869 2014-03-07 09:29 ren.sh*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 semoi semoi      960 2014-03-07 09:27 ren.sh~*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 semoi semoi     1050 2014-03-07 09:22 ren2.sh*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 semoi semoi     1051 2014-03-07 08:50 ren2.sh~*
semoi@server:~/STORE1/Nonsoft/libros/chess/nuevo$

Any idea how it can be deleted? Quoting the filename gives 'No such file or directory'.

colucix · 03-07-2014, 08:17 AM

Have you tried this?

Code:

rm \\rendobj\\r2255

In most cases the TAB completion should give the proper way to escape the special characters. You have just to manually escape the first one in the file name, e.g.

Code:

rm \\press_TAB_here

stf92 · 03-07-2014, 08:23 AM

'\\press_tab_here' does not complete. And

Code:

semoi@server:~/STORE1/Nonsoft/libros/chess/nuevo$ rm \\rendobj\\r2255
rm: cannot remove '\\rendobj\\r2255': No such file or directory
semoi@server:~/STORE1/Nonsoft/libros/chess/nuevo$

Remarkable, isn't it? I went to the GUI and used the file manager. However there should be a way of deleting it other than using the GUI!

moisespedro · 03-07-2014, 08:26 AM

You can try zsh auto-completion

pan64 · 03-07-2014, 08:26 AM

you can also try to use wildcards:

Code:

test:
ls *rendobj*r2255
but probably
ls *2255 is enough
if it returns only your file you can try to remove it by:
rm *rendobj*r2255

stf92 · 03-07-2014, 08:34 AM

A pitty, I now don't remember if I tried with the asterisks. The file is now erased for good.

moisespedro · 03-07-2014, 08:38 AM

And what about me? Suggesting using a cannon :P
At least zsh comes by default on slackware

schneidz · 03-07-2014, 09:03 AM

i think rm ./'\rendobj\r2255' would do it.

genss · 03-07-2014, 01:30 PM

what shell are you using ?
also what terminal ?

\\TAB should work
this puzzles me

Smokey_justme · 03-07-2014, 01:54 PM

Hehe..

ls formats the output.. The file begins with the \r (Carriage return), not with '\'

That is why TAB completition or quoting didn't work

stf92 · 03-07-2014, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokey_justme

Hehe..

ls formats the output.. The file begins with the \r (Carriage return), not with '\'

How do you know?

Smokey_justme · 03-07-2014, 02:16 PM

It's a console protection... \r would cause the console to move the cursor to the begining of the line (and write characters from there on).. Moreover, it's invisible otherwise.. And, as a distinction, a \ character in the filename is displayed like \\

Try it:

Code:

touch "\testfile_starting_with_the_\_character"
ls
rm "\testfile_starting_with_the_\_character"
touch $'\r'
ls
rm $'\r'

FeyFre · 03-07-2014, 05:59 PM

Better say other: where do you got files with embedded \r in name?

volkerdi · 03-07-2014, 06:20 PM

mc has also been known to easily delete strangely named files.