How to delete an entire directory via SSH
March 31, 2008
Categories: IT & Administration, Web & Software Development
Tags: Linux, SSH, Unix
I know this is probably common knowledge to Linux and Unix geeks. But every time I need to remove a directory with files in my NearlyFreeSpeech.Net SSH terminal I end up having to google for the command. So here it is for anyone else who’s out there googling!
rm -r -f YourDirectory
rm = remove / delete
-r = recursively deletes the directory and all files in it, including subdirectories
-f = will not ask for confirmation before deleting
2 Responses to “How to delete an entire directory via SSH”
By David Nunez on Apr 12, 2008
geek tip: you can save another TWO WHOLE KEYSTROKES by doing “-rf” not “-r -f”
you can usually stack single letter options if they have no modifer ‘-rfaweqkv’ but you cant stack the “-u cool -p beans” or “–fullword” options
By Dusty on Apr 14, 2008
Good tip!