rip

Remove files or directories from specified locations and place them in the graveyard

$ rip [path/to/file_or_directory] [path/to/another/file_or_directory]

$ rip --inspect [path/to/file_or_directory] [path/to/another/file_or_directory]

$ rip --seance

$ rip --decompose

$ rip --unbury

$ rip --seance --unbury

rm [OPTION]... [FILE]...

-f, --force
    Ignore nonexistent files and arguments, never prompt.

-i
    Prompt before every removal.

-I
    Prompt once before removing more than three files, or when removing recursively. Less intrusive than -i, while still preventing most mistakes.

-r, -R, --recursive
    Remove directories and their contents recursively.

-d, --dir
    Remove empty directories.

-v, --verbose
    Explain what is being done.

--help
    Display a help message and exit.

--version
    Output version information and exit.

The rm command in Linux is used to remove files or directories. It's a powerful tool that permanently deletes data from your system, so use it with caution. The command can remove individual files, multiple files at once, empty directories, and directories containing files. The `-r` or `-R` option enables recursive removal, which is essential for deleting directories and their contents. Using the `-f` option forces the removal, suppressing prompts and overriding write protection. Be very careful when using `-rf` or `-Rf` together, as it can irreversibly delete important system files if used incorrectly. Always double-check your command before executing it, especially when using wildcards or recursive removal. Consider using safer alternatives for common tasks (e.g., moving files to the trash) where possible.

Using rm -rf / or rm -rf /* will delete everything on your system. There is no undo function after using rm. Be extremely careful with wildcards (*), especially when combined with the `-r` option. It is crucial to understand the current directory location and what files will be matched by the wildcard.

The rm command returns an exit status of 0 if all operations were successful. A non-zero exit status indicates that an error occurred during the removal process.
Errors may include insufficient permissions or attempting to remove a file that doesn't exist (unless the `-f` option is used).

Due to its destructive nature, exercise caution when using rm, especially when running as the root user. Consider using safer alternatives or implementing additional safeguards to prevent accidental data loss. For instance, using the alias 'rm -i' can help prevent accidental deletions by forcing a prompt before each removal.

The rm command has been a standard utility in Unix-like operating systems since their early days. It provides a fundamental way to manage files and directories on the system. Over time, features like `-r` for recursive deletion and `-f` for force deletion were added to enhance its functionality. While its basic purpose remains the same, variations exist across different Unix-like systems with slight differences in supported options or behavior.

mkdir(1), mv(1), cp(1), shred(1)