Why would this work
rm [non-empty directory’s name] -r
…and not…
rmdir [non-empty directory’s name]-i
…or…
rmdir [non-empty directory’s name} -ir
backround:
I just downloaded and innstalled 11.2 about 6 weeks ago, and Have updated several times since… I was very frustrated and found that I did in fact have the proper pernissions to delete this directory. I checked multiple forums for much longer than I would like to admit, and they kept telling me to use (in the end) the same commands…I finally stumbled upon a forum that again told me to use rm [nonempty directory’s name] …and viola
my /bash can’t be outdated can it
please remember that I am new, and thank you to all in advance
-cheers
Because rmdir is documented to work only on an empty directory for safety reasons, whereas rm, when given -r, will delete the whole tree. A couple of things:
-
Get into the habit of putting the options in front, thus rm -r direcory, not rm directory -r. While GNU written programs are lenient, the tradition is that options precede files, unless otherwise stated. This will help you should you need to work on more traditional Unix systems.
-
Learn to use man to view manual pages. Thus man rmdir will show you that -r not a valid option for rmdir. Also many GNU programs accept --help as an argument to provide you with a summary of usage.
On Sat March 27 2010 08:06 pm, ken yap wrote:
>
> Because rmdir is documented to work only on an empty directory for
> safety reasons, whereas rm, when given -r, will delete the whole tree. A
> couple of things:
>
> 1. Get into the habit of putting the options in front, thus rm -r
> direcory, not rm directory -r. While GNU written programs are lenient,
> the tradition is that options precede files, unless otherwise stated.
> This will help you should you need to work on more traditional Unix
> systems.
>
> 2. Learn to use man to view manual pages. Thus man rmdir will show you
> that -r not a valid option for rmdir. Also many GNU programs accept
> --help as an argument to provide you with a summary of usage.
>
>
subcook69420;
In addition to what ken yap mentioned, “info” often gives more details
than “man”. For example:
info rmdir
–
P. V.
“We’re all in this together, I’m pulling for you.” Red Green