How to remove strange "empty" files produced by mistaking?

[leereg_2]

I produce a strange file named images, I can see it when I issued "ll", but when I try to remove it with command "rm images",It displayed the message that there is no such files.Why?

[Satish Y]

Hi Lee,

Can u send a sample list?.
U try to remove them using,

/bin/rm -- ""

Cheers...
Satish.

[leereg_2]

It can be discribe as the attachment.

Thanks a lot for you help!

[Patrick Wallek · Accepted solution]

The problem you are having is that there is probably a non-printable character at either the beginning or end of the filename.

Try removing the file with:

rm images*

or

rm *images

That should do the trick for you.

[leereg_2]

I got it!
It was done like this:
#rm images*

Thanks a lot,Patrick!
You are really expert!

[leereg_2]

Another stange file which can not be deleted:
In my home dir, there is file named:ENGLISHSETUP.PDF;$sessionid$MTVR4YQAAAKVZAMTA1FU4GQ
I can not remove it.

Thanks in advance!

[Wodisch]

Hello Leereq,

your problems seem to be just quoting!
First, use the option "-b" for your "ls" - only then you will
be shown the "invisible" characters which caused your
problem in the first case you posted. Then use single
quotes around the file names, for without them your
shell will substitute "$session" with the contents of the
variable "session"...

HTH,
Wodisch

[Bart Paulusse]

Hi Lee,

try this:

rm -i *PDF*

with -i you are asked to confirm delete for every *PDF* file in the directory. So if there are more files in that directory that have PDF in their filename you only answer y for file: ENGLISHSETUP.PDF;$sessionid$MTVR4YQAAAKVZAMTA1FU4GQ and n (no) to keep all others.

regards,

Bart

[leereg_2]

It was done by:
#rm -i *.PDF.*

Thanks, expert!

[Satish Y]

Hi,

Try with,

rm "ENGLISHSETUP.PDF;\$sessionid\$MTVR4YQAAAKVZAMTA1FU4GQ"

I just enclosed in file name quotes and escaped '$' chars.

Cheers...
Satish.