topic Re: removing a file that starts with "-" in Operating System - HP-UX

removing a file that starts with "-"

John Downs_1 — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 17:31:22 GMT

One of my users created a file called "-h".
When I try to rm it i get, -h unknown option.
I've tried \-h "-h" and single quotes to no avail. Help!

-john

Re: removing a file that starts with "-"

S.K. Chan — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 17:29:02 GMT

One way is to list it with its inode number and then use find to remove it.
# cd
# ls -i
==> Take note of its inode number. Then run ..
# find . -inum -exec rm -f {} \;

Re: removing a file that starts with "-"

Kellogg Unix Team — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 17:32:30 GMT

rm ./-h

will do.

...Manjeet

Re: removing a file that starts with "-"

James R. Ferguson — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 17:33:46 GMT

Hi John:

Try:

# rm -i "*-h*"

...and respond yes or no appropriately.

Regards!

...JRF...

Re: removing a file that starts with "-"

Domenico_5 — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 17:36:04 GMT

use file manager from x terminal

Re: removing a file that starts with "-"

Jean-Luc Oudart — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 17:37:57 GMT

and finally you may want to see the content of the file before you delete it ?
more -- -h
or rename it
mv -- -h newfilename

Jean-Luc

Re: removing a file that starts with "-"

Domenico_5 — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 17:38:25 GMT

hei guys!!!!!

4 answer, 4 correct answer and all different!!!!!!!!!!!

goood!!!!

Re: removing a file that starts with "-"

James R. Ferguson — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 17:39:33 GMT

Hi (again):

# rm -i -- -h

Regards!

...JRF...

Re: removing a file that starts with "-"

John Palmer — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 17:39:57 GMT

And a fifth...

rm -- -h

Regards,
John

Re: removing a file that starts with "-"

Domenico_5 — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 17:46:16 GMT

john

A strawberry on a pie

Re: removing a file that starts with "-"

John Downs_1 — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 17:50:44 GMT

Well, either you guys have been doing this to long or i haven't been doing it long enough.
I tried rm ./-h, fewest charaters to type, and it worked. The next time I'll one of the other solutions.

Thanks!

-john

Re: removing a file that starts with "-"

James R. Ferguson — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 18:28:30 GMT

Hi (again) John:

/No_Points_Please/

I'm not sure what the h*ll I was thinking with my first suggestion of "*-h*" but that clearly wonn't work! Fortunately my second offering was correct and preferred and you gave me points for that! For future readers:

In general, two consecutive hyphens single the end of flags for well-behaved commands. At your leisure:

# touch -- -h
# ls -- -h
# mv -- -h -hh
# ls -- -h
# ls -- -h*
# set -f #...disable globbing...
# ls -- -h*
# set +f #...enable globbing...
# rm -i -- -h*

Regards!

...JRF...