What isthe rm Command in Linux?
The rm command stands for remove. At its core, rm does what its name suggests: it deletes files or directories from the file system. However, its utility extends far beyond mere deletion; it can manage and clean up your file system efficiently, offering various options to control its behavior.
Basic syntax:
rm [option] [file]
Delete a file:
rm file.txt
Delete more than one file:
rm file1.txt file2.txt
Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -i, —interactive | Prompts before every removal. |
| -f, —force | Overrides any existing files at the destination without prompting for confirmation. |
| -r, —recursive | Removes directories and their contents recursively. |
| -d, —dir | Removes empty directories. |
| -v, —verbose | Provides detailed feedback on the actions performed by rm. |
| —preserve-root | Ensures that the root directory / is not accidentally removed. |
| —one-file-system | Limits the removal to the current file system, avoiding crossing file system boundaries. |
Additional Help
You can explore more by using the commands:
rm --help
# or
man rm
Thank you!
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