What does rm -rf command do on a Linux or Unix

[nixcraft]

Originally published at: https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/what-does-rm-rf-command-do-on-a-linux-or-unix/

I am a new Linux sysadmin. What is the purpose of rm -rf command on a Linux? What does rm -rf command do on a Unix-like operating system?

[wally]

I’m not trying to hurt anyone’s feeling or disparage them, but this question scares me. How does one get to be a sysadmin w/o either knowing the answer to this question or how to find the answer?
This really leaves me puzzled/confused.

[nixcraft]

@wally

I’m not trying to hurt anyone’s feeling or disparage them, but this question scares me. How does one get to be a sysadmin w/o either knowing the answer to this question or how to find the answer?
This really leaves me puzzled/confused.

You need to read good books on sysadmin. Another option is to read man pages for the command. If you still do not understand anything use our forum to post question. Study, read, learn, practice. That is all.