Linux in a Nutshell, Third Edition

Name

rm

Synopsis

rm [options] files

Description

Delete one or more files. To remove a file, you must have write permission in the directory that contains the file, but you need not have permission on the file itself. If you do not have write permission on the file, you will be prompted (y or n) to override.

Options

-d, --directory

Remove directories, even if they are not empty. Available only to a privileged user.

-f, --force

Remove write-protected files without prompting.

--help

Print a help message and then exit.

-i, --interactive

Prompt for y (remove the file) or n (do not remove the file).

-r, -R, --recursive

If file is a directory, remove the entire directory and all its contents, including subdirectories. Be forewarned: use of this option can be dangerous.

-v, --verbose

Turn on verbose mode. (rm prints the name of each file before removing it.)

--version

Print version information and then exit.

--

Mark the end of options. Use this when you need to supply a filename beginning with -.