Safe Deletion: A Correct Guide to Using rm -rf in Ubuntu

This article introduces the safe usage of the `rm -rf` command in Ubuntu to avoid accidental data deletion. The `rm -rf` command consists of `rm` (remove), `-r` (recursive), and `-f` (force). Its danger lies in the fact that accidental operations can lead to irreversible file deletion or system crashes (e.g., `rm -rf /`). Key principles for safe use: 1. **Confirm the target**: Use `ls` to check the files/directories before deletion to ensure the path and content are correct. 2. **Replace `-f` with `-i`**: The `-i` parameter will prompt for confirmation, preventing accidental deletions. 3. **Be cautious with directory deletion**: When deleting a directory containing subdirectories, first navigate to the target directory (using `cd`), then execute `rm -rf .` or confirm the path before deletion. 4. **Avoid high-risk commands**: Never execute commands like `rm -rf /` or `rm -rf ~/*`. After accidental deletion, tools like `extundelete` or `testdisk` can be attempted for recovery, but prevention is crucial. By developing the habit of "check first, confirm, and avoid blind operations," the `rm -rf` command can be used safely.