Rm -rf / Edit Meaning

1.

Finest compression avaliable under UNIX/Linux! Unfortunatly, there is no decompressor avaliable.

Command issued on unix systems to remove a directory. If nothing is added after the final slash (/) it will remove the root filesystem. Although, many systems now have protection in place which will report back and say 'rm of / is not allowed' or similar. The command can only be issued by the root user. If you do it as a normal user, it will only remove your home directory and files you have write/execute access to.

Friend 1: My hard disk is full.

Friend 2: Type 'rm -rf /'. Its the best compression avaliable *evil-grin*.

Friend 1: Its doing it now, the hard disk is running.

2.

Probably the most popular unix command. The response linux newbies get from experienced users when asking for anything.

new_linux_user: How can I install an .rpm?

arrogant_guru: rm -rf /

*the newbie types the command*

*the newbie leaves crying*

See Rush

3.

Destroying you. Used in *nix to remove all files from root tree. Equalevalent to 'go to fucking hell, bitch'

Joe: Screw you

Me: rm -rf /

4.

rm = remove

-f = all files whether write protected or not without prompting the user for confirmation or writing a message to the console about the file removal.

-r is recursive, which means to repeatedly remove all files until the base case is the only thing left.

There is a whole directory of files you no longer need on your UNIX system. You do not want to remove them one at a time. Use rm -rf/ to remove them all at once.

5.

Read Mail Really Fast rtfm

"I have too much spam"

"use rm -rf /, read mail reall fast"