CODEWITHSUNDEEP
bash
user2300940
user2300940

Reputation: 2385

Use "rm" command with inverse match

I want to remove all files that do not match R1.fastq.gz in my list of files. How do I use rm with inverse match?

Upvotes: 7

Views: 5857

Answers (3)

Biswadip Majumdar
Biswadip Majumdar

Reputation: 18

ls | grep -v "file_with_string_you_dont_want_to_delete" | xargs rm -f

Upvotes: 0

chepner
chepner

Reputation: 530823

Use the extended pattern syntax available in bash:

shopt -s extglob
printf '%s\n' !(R1.fastq.gz)  # To verify the list of files the pattern matches
rm !(R1.fastq.gz)  # To actually remove them.

Or, use find:

find . ! -name R1.fastq.gz -print         # Verify
find . ! -name R1.fastq.gz -exec rm {} +  # Delete

If your version of find supports it, you can use -delete instead of -exec rm {} +:

find . ! -name R1.fastq.gz -delete

Upvotes: 15

ingroxd
ingroxd

Reputation: 1025

You may want the "invert match" option, grep –v, which means "select lines which do not match the regex." and then remove them.

Something like rm $(ls | grep -v -e "R1.fastq.gz") should do it.

Please, note that this will erase all files in the folder you are on, except R1.fastq.gz

Upvotes: -1

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