Usage

rm - remove files or directories

rm removes each specified file. By default, it does not remove directories.

linux3[103]% ls
foobar  sample.txt
linux3[104]% rm sample.txt
rm: remove `sample.txt'? y
linux3[105]% ls
foobar
linux3[106]%

-f

Forces the removal of files, never prompting user

linux3[108]% ls
foobar  sample.txt
linux3[109]% rm -f sample.txt
linux3[110]% ls
foobar
linux3[111]%

-r

Removes the contents of directories recursively

linux3[131]% ls
myDir
linux3[132]% ls myDir
bar.txt  foo.txt
linux3[133]% rm -r myDir
rm: descend into directory `myDir'? y
rm: remove `myDir/bar.txt'? y
rm: remove `myDir/foo.txt'? y
rm: remove directory `myDir'? y
linux3[134]% ls
linux3[135]%

CAUTION!

One should be careful when using rm -rf as this will blow away entire directory trees without asking the user. Not that it is a bad thing to do, but if you find yourself typing this, be sure to double check and make sure that what directories and files you are deleting are correct.