UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

How can I remove a non empty directory. ' rmdir directory_name ' complains that the directory is not empty. The same problem happens with ' rmdir directory_name/* '
Thanks

please rean the man pages of rm carefully before this
http://docs.sun.com/?q=rm&p=/doc/806...9vek5f3&a=view


you can use rm -R for removing files AND directory recursively

-r
Recursively remove directories and subdirectories in the argument list. The directory will be emptied of files and removed. The user is normally prompted for removal of any write-protected files which the directory contains. The write-protected files are removed without prompting, however, if the -f option is used, or if the standard input is not a terminal and the -i option is not used.

Symbolic links that are encountered with this option will not be traversed.

If the removal of a non-empty, write-protected directory is attempted, the utility will always fail (even if the -f option is used), resulting in an error message.

-R
Same as -r option.

This is my official warning regarding "rm -r somedir".

Please use this with care, because if you mistype the directory, you can do serious damage.


Remember this old but wise saying: " Perfect paranoia is perfect awareness".

And by no means use the rm -r *, I shudder even when I think of this command.