GNU bug report logs - #22998
File removal bug

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From: help-debbugs <at> gnu.org (GNU bug Tracking System)
To: Avineshwar Singh <asingh16 <at> stevens.edu>
Subject: bug#22998: closed (Re: bug#22998: File removal bug)
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2016 03:49:02 +0000

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Your bug report

#22998: File removal bug

which was filed against the coreutils package, has been closed.

The explanation is attached below, along with your original report.
If you require more details, please reply to 22998 <at> debbugs.gnu.org.

-- 
22998: http://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=22998
GNU Bug Tracking System
Contact help-debbugs <at> gnu.org with problems

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From: Eric Blake <eblake <at> redhat.com>
To: Avineshwar Singh <asingh16 <at> stevens.edu>, 22998-done <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#22998: File removal bug
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2016 20:47:58 -0700

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tag 22998 notabug
thanks

On 03/12/2016 10:33 AM, Avineshwar Singh wrote:
> Hi.
> 
> Let's say I manage to create a file named "-filename.extension". It's not being removed using "rm -filename.extension",

Indeed, and that's a FAQ:

https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/faq/coreutils-faq.html#I-have-a-file-called-_002d_002dhelp_002e-How-do-I-remove-it_003f

> however, it is being removed using "/filepath/-filename.extension".

Indeed, and that is one of the work-arounds for this non-bug.  The other
workaround is to use:

rm -- -filename.extension.

> There is a potential fix for this. It is existing in Ubuntu, Fedora, NetBSD, FreeBSD and OmniOS, atleast.

This is not a bug, but the behavior mandated by POSIX.  Therefore I'm
closing this report.  However, feel free to ask further related
questions in response to this thread.

-- 
Eric Blake   eblake redhat com    +1-919-301-3266
Libvirt virtualization library http://libvirt.org

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From: Avineshwar Singh <asingh16 <at> stevens.edu>
To: bug-coreutils <at> gnu.org
Subject: File removal bug
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2016 12:33:22 -0500

Hi.

Let's say I manage to create a file named "-filename.extension". It's not being removed using "rm -filename.extension", however, it is being removed using "/filepath/-filename.extension".
There is a potential fix for this. It is existing in Ubuntu, Fedora, NetBSD, FreeBSD and OmniOS, atleast.

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