In Unix/Linux file management, which command is used to remove (delete) a file from the filesystem?
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Aremove
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Brm
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Cmv
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Ddel
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ENone of the above
Answer
Correct Answer: rm
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Deleting files is a frequent administrative and user task. Unix/Linux provides a simple command specifically for removing files and, with the right options, directories. Knowing the correct command—and its safety flags—prevents accidental data loss and improves scripting reliability.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- You need to delete regular files from the command line.
- Standard POSIX commands are available.
- Basic usage suffices; recursive deletion is a related but separate option.
Concept / Approach:
The command to remove files is rm. By default it unlinks each file name. To remove directories and their contents, use rm -r (or -rf with caution). Other listed commands are either nonstandard or have different semantics: mv moves/renames files; del is a DOS command; remove is not a standard Unix command-line tool.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Delete a file: rm file.txtDelete multiple: rm file1 file2Delete by glob: rm *.log (use with care)Delete directories: rm -r dir/Verification / Alternative check:
Run ls before and after rm to confirm removal. Use -i for interactive confirmation if safety is a concern.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- remove: not a standard POSIX command.
- mv: moves/renames; doesn't delete.
- del: DOS/Windows command, not Unix.
- None of the above: incorrect because rm is correct.
Common Pitfalls:
- Using rm -rf / or similar destructive globs; always double-check paths.
- Deleting files without permissions—prepend sudo if appropriate.
Final Answer:
rm.