Comments on: Linux rmdir Command Examples for Beginners

By: Philippe Moisan

Philippe Moisan — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 01:03:05 +0000

I am not quite a beginner at Linux, but I am very happy to follow this series of articles, with all the options I wasn't aware of. I will always use the -v option with mkdir and rmdir. However when it's time to remove directories, I always use rm -r.

By: Narendra K

Narendra K — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 04:53:22 +0000

@dragonmouth

You are right, but we are talking about the rmdir command which never deletes a directory containing files.

With respect to the system wipe out, this is not true, the rmdir command never wipes out the system if you mistype the command or argument. The rmdir command is used simply to remove empty directories.

I totally understand, but then it is better to stick with Windows if a user no more wanted to switch to CLI.

By: dragonmouth

dragonmouth — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 18:09:16 +0000

For beginners, I would recommend using the GUI File Manager that came with their distro. Display the file system, right-click on the directory you want to delete, choose “DELETE” from the menu and you’re done.

Yes, the command line is efficient and allows for better granularity BUT for a newbie, one mistyped letter can lead to a wiped-out system.

With most of today’s distros, it is possible to go months without having to resort to CLI. If we want Linux to be used by anybody other than techies, we need to emphasize the GUI tools. After all, Windows and OS/X are GUI-based. You are not going to get very many users to switch just because Linux has a great CLI.