12-11-2002
Re: rmdir a non-empty directory.
You could also do a:
rm -rf <target>
The -r and -R (see previous reply from TioTony) parameter are the same and will make it recursively travel down any subdirectory it finds.
The -f makes sure you are not prompted for confirmation (handy if there are lots of files and directories inside the target-directory).
Same warning applies here... Be careful when using this. Re-read your commandline and make sure you're in the right directory!
Most of the time, when using a powerful command like this, I use the full path + directoryname, just to be sure.
10 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting
1. Shell Programming and Scripting
Hi guys,
I've been trying to get this part of my script to work for ages and now it's getting me annoyed!! So i thought a fresh group of eyes could see where i'm going wrong!
The idea is getting a directory and all its files moved to a temp folder, but similar to the rm -ir command where it... (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: olimiles
0 Replies
2. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers
If I am root user, and trying to chown everything in a directory and it's subdirectories (e.g. httpdocs and everything inside that directory, including it's sub directories), how would I do that? I tried it with -r but it didnt seem to work...can someone help with the correct syntax?
Also, if I... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: Eman619
3 Replies
3. Shell Programming and Scripting
Hi all,
Can you tell me how to empty all files in a directory with a "find" command?
It does not seem to work the way I try it:
# ls -l *.dat
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 7 Jul 20 20:51 la2.dat
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 4 Jul 20 20:51 la.dat
# find... (9 Replies)
Discussion started by: majormark
9 Replies
4. Shell Programming and Scripting
To see if a directory is has anything in it, I do this:
if ; then
# do something
fi
But surely there is a more easy-to-read and elegant way. Isn't there? (6 Replies)
Discussion started by: KenJackson
6 Replies
5. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers
Hello,
We use a very basic version of unix via putty and are not experts by any means.
We accidentally submitted the statement: "mkdir -l" ("dash-letter L) and a new directory was created. Putty/UNIX will now not recognize the statement "rmdir -l". When we run a "ls -l" command, it shows... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: UDcc123
3 Replies
6. Shell Programming and Scripting
Hi,
I need to delete an empty directory in a temp directory except "dir5" (keep everything that is not empty).
Plese advise.
Here is an example of my directory.
/dir/temp/
dir1 - delete if this is empty
dir2 - delete if this is empty
dir3 - delete if this is empty
dir4 - delete if this... (7 Replies)
Discussion started by: sirrtuan
7 Replies
7. SCO
I know someone will probably laugh at this question, I probably knew the answer many years ago when I was doing this full time but here goes.....
I have a directory that has many files and sub-directories in it, RMDIR will not delete a directory that is not empty so what is the command to... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: moondogi
1 Replies
8. Shell Programming and Scripting
1.pls tell me the command for checking whether a given directory is empty or not .
2. can i check what is the last copied item in a directory .
and i yes , i want to move that last copied item in another directory .
pls help me with shell code for these two tasks
thanks (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: upvan111
1 Replies
9. Homework & Coursework Questions
Use and complete the template provided. The entire template must be completed. If you don't, your post may be deleted!
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data:
1.pls tell me the command for checking whether a given directory is empty or not .
2. can i check what is the... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: upvan111
1 Replies
10. Programming
Hi Guys,
i'm writing a perl script which whenever runs, should empty 3 pre-decided directories as first step and then the script has the logic to parse some other directories and copy the files inside those directories into these 3 directories. I've the logic already developed, just need to... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: jhamaks
2 Replies