8.4.26 rm command (removes files or directories)
Syntax
rm [-d] [-f] [-i] [-R] [-r] path-name ...
Description
This command removes files or directories.
Arguments
- -d
Specifies that file or directory removal is to be performed. In the case of a directory, the entire directory is removed.
- -f
Specifies that file removal is to be performed without requesting confirmation. Nonexistent files are ignored. This option is ignored if it is specified before the -i option.
- -i
Specifies that confirmation is to be requested before removal is performed. Removal will be performed only if the reply y or Y is read from the standard input. This option is ignored if it is specified before the -f option.
- -R|-r
Specifies that a directory tree is to be removed recursively.
- path-name
Specifies a path name to be removed. Multiple path names can be specified.
Return codes
Return code |
Meaning |
---|---|
0 |
Normal termination
|
1 or greater |
Error termination |
Notes
In Windows, when you confirm removal without write permissions, non-access permissions other than the owner's are not displayed.
For details about the permissions that are displayed, see 8.4.21 ls command (lists the contents of files or directories).
If the options -f and -i are both specified, the one specified last takes effect.
-
Specify the file and directory to which the role for deletion is assigned for the argument of the rm command. Deletion of file and directory might fail if you specify the file and directory to which the privilege for deletion is not assigned. [Windows edition]
Examples
Specify the -i option to require confirmation before removing a file.
C:\TEMP>%ADSH_OSCMD_DIR%\rm -i file2.txt remove file2.txt?
Display an error message if the file does not exist.
C:\TEMP>%ADSH_OSCMD_DIR%\rm c.txt rm: c.txt: No such file or directory
Display an error message when you attempt to remove a directory without using the -d option.
C:\TEMP>%ADSH_OSCMD_DIR%\rm dir8 rm: dir8: is a directory
Display an error message when you attempt to remove a directory that contains files.
C:\TEMP>%ADSH_OSCMD_DIR%\rm -d dir8 rm: dir8: Directory not empty
Display an option error message.
This message might vary depending on the platform on which the command is executed. The following shows an example in Windows:
C:\TEMP>%ADSH_OSCMD_DIR%\rm -w rm: illegal option -- w usage: rm [-dfiRr] file ...