"rm: descend into directory" what does it means?

I am trying to follow instructions here to get emacs going but I am stuck with deleting the .emacs.d folder. What do I do when the command line asks rm: descend into directory '.emacs.d'?

a@b:~$ sudo rm -r -i .emacs.d
[sudo] password for a:
rm: descend into directory `.emacs.d'? 

Is there a simpler way to find and delete files without using the command line? I am unable to locate this file in GUI.

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2 Answers

You are adding the -i option which means --interactive so it will ask you if it can delete each file and directory. Is the only reason why "descend into directory `.emacs.d'?" appears.

So you either, forget about the -i or keep pressing Y.

BTW, sudo is not necessary:

(Optional) delete the .emacs.d/.git directory. You'll probably want to create your own git repo for .emacs.d

Delete only implies:

rm -r .emacs.d/.git

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It appears that .emacs.d is a folder, and the rm command is asking to confirm that you want to delete the files within the folder as well. To confirm this prompt, type y (for yes) and press enter.

Out of interest, why are you using sudo on this command? The files are in your home directory, so you do not need root privlages to delete them (unless the permissions are messed up)

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