GNU bug report logs - #22998
File removal bug

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From: help-debbugs <at> gnu.org (GNU bug Tracking System)
To: Eric Blake <eblake <at> redhat.com>
Cc: tracker <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: bug#22998: closed (File removal bug)
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2016 03:49:02 +0000

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Your message dated Sat, 12 Mar 2016 20:47:58 -0700
with message-id <56E4E2EE.4070705 <at> redhat.com>
and subject line Re: bug#22998: File removal bug
has caused the debbugs.gnu.org bug report #22998,
regarding File removal bug
to be marked as done.

(If you believe you have received this mail in error, please contact
help-debbugs <at> gnu.org.)


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

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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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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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