Linux/Unix - Remove/Delete Directories/Folders And Their Contents Recursively

In Linux/Unix based system, file can be removed/deleted using command "rm" but it won't help if directories/folders and their contents need to be removed/deleted. In such cases option "-r or -R" need to be used with "rm" command to remove/delete directories/folders and their contents recursively.

Syntax:

rm -R <directory_name>

Option:

-r, -R :recursive- remove directories and their contents recursively

-f     :force- ignore nonexistent files, never prompt

Usage:

rm -R <diectory_name>

rm -Rf <directory_name>

Example:

[root@Linux]# rm -r mydocs
rm: descend into directory `mydocs'? y
rm: remove regular empty file `mydocs/file2'? y
rm: remove regular empty file `mydocs/file3'? y
rm: remove regular empty file `mydocs/file1'? y
rm: remove directory `mydocs'? y
[root@Linux]#
 

!! Directory/folder and their contents deleted without prompting while using option "f" !!

[root@Linux]# rm -rf mydocs2
[root@Linux]#