Delete files with hyphen/dash at the beginning of their name
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 2:59 pm
[PROBLEM]
Sometimes it happens:
You've created a file with a 'minus' aka 'hyphen' character at the beginning of its filename.
For example:
Add a path to the filename to "defuse" the hyphen at the beginning. Like this:
That's it. 
Sometimes it happens:
You've created a file with a 'minus' aka 'hyphen' character at the beginning of its filename.
For example:
If you try to remove that file using regular commands like 'rm' or maybe even 'mv', the filename will mistakingly be interpreted as control argument, and you'll get an error like this:-bla.txt
[SOLUTION]rm: invalid option -- b
Try `rm --help' for more information.
Add a path to the filename to "defuse" the hyphen at the beginning. Like this:
Code: Select all
rm -r ./bla.txt