DEL (Delete) COMMAND

Purpose: Deletes the specified file(s).

Syntax:  DEL [/P[ROMPT]] [/Q[UIET]] [/D[IR]] FILELIST

Type:    Internal command

Parameters:

/P[ROMPT]       - causes "del" to prompt you before a deletion.
/Q[UIET]        - doesn't prompt at all when deleting files.
/D[IR]          - deletes a directory, when all its files have been
                  deleted.
FILELIST ::= [parms]
             {
             [d:][path]file_name[.ext] |
             (FILELIST[,|+| ]...)      |
             @reference_file
             }

FILELIST  - defines the files to be deleted.

file_name      - may contain wild card symbols ( '?' and '*' ).
reference_file - is the name of a text file containing the command's
                 arguments. It should be specified explicitly.
parms          - are any combination of the control parameters for
                 FILELIST or DIRLIST (see INTERNAL DOS COMMAND ARGUMENTS
                 for detailed description).


Notes:

1. It is not possible to delete "read only" files.
2. One has to be extremely careful when using the DEL command after having
invoked ASSIGN, JOIN or SUBST.

Examples:
1. Deleting the FILE.BAT file from a diskette in the A: drive:

       A:\>DEL A:\FILE.BAT

2. Deleting all files from the GAMES directory located on the C: fixed disk:

       A:\>DEL C:\GAMES

The shell will prompt on deleting all the files from the directory:

       All files in the directory C:\GAMES\*.* will be deleted !
       Are You sure {y/N/All no/Quit}? _

In case you aren't sure which particular files you wish to be deleted, press
[N], [A] or [Q], then [Enter], or simply press [Enter]. If you press first
[Y] then [Enter], the shell will delete all the files in the directory.

There will be no prompt if the /Q switch is used in combination with other
switches.

WARNING! When using the DELETE command with the subdirectory deletion
         switch, the prompt is made only ONCE, after which all files and
         subdirectories (if the /D switch has been set) are deleted.

3. Using the prompt option

       A:\>DEL /P file?.txt

If the /P (prompt) switch has been set, then the Shell will prompt the user
before deleting any file:

       FILE1.TXT delete this file {Y/n/All yes/Quit}? _

The user would reply with one of the following symbols and press [Enter]
afterwards. Pressing [Enter] alone is equal to replying "Y".

"Y" - the file is deleted and the Shell moves on to the next one.
"N" - the file is NOT deleted and the Shell moves on to the next one.
"A" - the file is deleted and all the remaining files will be deleted with
      no prompt whatsoever.
"Q" - quitting the command.

4. Using the subdirectories option

The following command deletes the *.bak files located an all
subdirectories of the C: disk:

       A:\>DEL /S C:\*.BAK

The next command deletes all the files and subdirectories of the D: disk:

       A:\>DEL /S/D D:\

WARNING! Improper or mischievous usage of the DELETE command may lead to
         loss of data on your disks! PhysTechSoft bears no liability
         whatsoever if such a damage or loss occurs.