I accidentally untarred archive intended to be extracted in root directory, which among others included some files for /etc directory.
I went on to rm -rv ~/etc, but I quickly typed rm -rv /etc instead, and hit enter, while using a root account.
OOOOOOOOOOOF!!
One trick I use, because I’m SUPER paranoid about this, is to mv things I intend to delete to /tmp, or make /tmp/trash or something.
That way, I can move it back if I have a “WHAT HAVE I DONE!?” moment, or it just deletes itself upon reboot.
Hey that’s a pretty good idea. I’m stealing that.
I’ve read this somewhere too! Where are you quoting it from if I may ask?
But yes I also agree 💯%. rm should always be treated with respect and care by default rather than “customizing the danger away.”
Quoting from Linux Hater’s Handbook, lovely read
EDIT: UNIX Haters, not Linux hater, my bad
LOL nice, I’ll have to check it out. :) Thanks!
… is it the “UNIX-Hater’s Handbook” from 1994 with a parody of “The Scream” on the cover?
Yup, that one. It’s also available here, sans cover - https://web.mit.edu/~simsong/www/ugh.pdf
i always do “read;rm ./file” which gives me a second to confirm and also makes it so i don’t accidentally execute it out of my bash history with control-r
Also stealing this. What an awesome tip
This need’s to be higher in the comments!