On Tue, Aug 21, 2001 at 08:32:40PM -0400, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > In linux.debian.user, you wrote: > > hello: > > > > i have managed to insert a bullet in my poda courtesy of tar and my > > ineptness! that is, i did: > > > > tar -cvIf --remove-files /tmp/foo.tz /opt/tmp > > > > silly me filled up my current directory with a file called > > "--remove-files". > > my question is: how the heck to i get rid of this beast???? > > > > i've tried > > rm -f "--remove-files" > > rm -f '--remove-files' > > rm -f "\\-\\-remove\\-files" > > rm -f "\-\-remove\-files" > > rm -f '\\-\\-remove\\-files' > > rm -f '\-\-remove\-files' > > > > all with the same lack of success! > > > > any assist in this would be most appreciated. > > > > -- > > regards, > > allen wayne best > > Another way to remove it would be to go to the directory and run 'mc' > (midnight commander) Highlight the offending file and do F8. > > Anita > > This is amazing :) Someone ought to write a HOWTO on this. "How to remove files with problematic filenames"
The "--" feature is obviously the *right* way, but the least creative. There are other little challenges for the reader. Create a file whose name is "backspace" or has a clear screen sequence as it's name and try to delete it, using "rm -i" is cheating. Remember the only disallowed characters in a filename are NULL and "/" Keep on rocking Cliff > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] >