[Solved] What happens when you run rm -rf /tmp/testdir if /tmp/testdir contains files? — Ans: Deletes the directory and all its contents without prompts | Linux CLI

Linux CLI - File and Directory Operations

What happens when you run rm -rf /tmp/testdir if /tmp/testdir contains files?

APrompts before deleting each file

BFails because directory is not empty

CDeletes the directory and all its contents without prompts

DDeletes only empty directories inside

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Understand -rf options
-r means recursive, -f means force (no prompts). Effect on directory with files: It deletes the directory and all files inside silently.
Final Answer:
Deletes the directory and all its contents without prompts -> Option C
Quick Check:
rm -rf force deletes recursively [OK]

Quick Trick: Use -rf to force delete folders with files silently [OK]

Common Mistakes:

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What happens when you run rm -rf /tmp/testdir if /tmp/testdir contains files?