mdeltree

mdeltree directory_name

directory_name
    The name of the directory you wish to delete, including all subdirectories and files it contains.

The mdeltree command is a simple yet powerful utility for quickly deleting entire directory trees in Linux. Unlike the standard `rm -r` command, which provides numerous options and confirmations, mdeltree is designed for speed and assumes the user is confident in their decision to remove the directory and its contents. It effectively performs a recursive, forceful delete without prompting for confirmation, making it suitable for scripting and automated tasks where immediate deletion is required.

However, this power comes with a risk: there is no undo. Once a directory is deleted using mdeltree, it's gone. Therefore, it is crucial to use this command with extreme caution and to double-check the target directory before executing it. It is strongly recommended to use with specific paths and not with wildcards if possible. Consider alternatives if there is a doubt.

mdeltree offers no confirmation or safety checks. Data loss is permanent. Use with extreme caution!

Due to its lack of confirmation, mdeltree poses a security risk if used carelessly or maliciously. It should be restricted to trusted users and environments. Implement access controls to prevent unauthorized execution of the command.

While mdeltree offers speed, consider safer alternatives like `rm -rf directory_name` or `find directory_name -delete`. These options provide slightly more control and can be modified with specific flags to suit different use cases.

The origin and specific development history of the mdeltree command is not well-documented and likely varies across Linux distributions. It is often included as a custom script or utility in specific environments rather than being part of the standard coreutils package. Its usage is tied to systems requiring rapid, automated directory deletion where confirmation prompts are undesirable.

rm(1), rmdir(1), find(1), shred(1)