Ubuntu

Deleting newly created files

Asked by avkapur

When I run this program it takes, for example, the filename TargetGenes2000unmasked.fasta. When the program runs it creates 4 different files such as TargetGenes2000unmasked.fasta.cat, TargetGenes2000unmasked.fasta.out, TargetGenes2000unmasked.fasta.tbl, Targetgenes2000unmasked.fasta.masked, and a folder called TargetGenes2000unmasked.fasta.out, and .masked all of which are useless except the last file which was TargetGenesunmasked.fasta.masked. Since I will be running the program for different filenames such as TargetGenes1500unmasked.fasta is there a way to tell unix to delete any newly created files automatically. Would appreciate any help. Thanks.
Amit

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Harvey Muller
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Bhavani Shankar (bhavi) said : 		#1

Hmm I think that cant be done as there are different file formats

you can use sudo rm -i <file name>

to delete specific file

Regards

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Harvey Muller (hlmuller) said : 		#2

avkapur,

The solution is to create a shell script which runs the initial program, and then deletes the files you do not want.

Here's an example of simple script which should resolve your need:

===BEGIN SCRIPT===
#!/bin/sh
# rundelete

PROGRAM=/path/to/program
TARGET=$1

# Run the program

$PROGRAM $TARGET

# Delete the extraneous files and directories

rm $TARGET.cat $TARGET.out $TARGET.tbl

rm -rf $TARGET.out .masked
===END SCRIPT===

Copy the script above into a text editor and save it as rundelete, or whatever you want to name it. Then to make it executable in a terminal run:

    $ chmod 755 rundelete

Then to run it:

    $ ./rundelete

The script is very basic, and does absolutely no error checking. But it should give you the general idea, and a good base to start from.

If this resolves your question, please return to Launchpad and mark this question Solved.

Thanks!

Harvey

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Harvey Muller (hlmuller) said : 		#3

avkapur,

I failed to mention that the command to start should read:

    $./rundelete <filetoprocess>

You would replace <filetoprocess> with the file you are processing.

Thanks,

Harvey

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Best Harvey Muller (hlmuller) said : 		#4

avkapur,

One final thing. You would replace /path/to/program with the actual path and name of the program.

Thanks,

Harvey

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avkapur (avkapur) said : 		#5

Thank you for all the help.
-Amit