Question 1

Should I use rimraf or Node.js fs.rm for deleting files?

Accepted Answer

Rimraf offers cross-platform reliability and extra features like glob support and filtering, which fs.rm lacks. However, for simple cases on Node.js 14.14.0+, fs.rm might suffice if you don't need rimraf's fallback strategies for Windows quirks.

Question 2

How to delete node_modules with rimraf?

Accepted Answer

Install rimraf globally via npm, then run 'rimraf node_modules' in your terminal. For programmatic use, import rimraf and call it with the path, ensuring to handle errors in async mode.

Question 3

Does rimraf work on Windows without issues?

Accepted Answer

Yes, rimraf is designed for Windows, using strategies like move-remove to handle file locking and permission problems that native commands struggle with, making it a go-to for recursive deletion there.

Question 4

Can I cancel a rimraf operation if it's taking too long?

Accepted Answer

Yes, use the 'signal' option with an AbortSignal to cancel deletion, though this disables the native fs.rm implementation. This is useful for large directories where you want to limit time spent.

Question 5

Is rimraf safe to use in production scripts?

Accepted Answer

While reliable, you must avoid passing untrusted input and use safety options like preserveRoot. It's widely trusted in production for cleanup tasks, but the README's caution about system compromise highlights the need for careful usage.

Question 6

How to use glob patterns with rimraf?

Accepted Answer

Enable the glob option in the API or use the --glob flag in CLI, then provide patterns like '*.log' to delete matching files. Note that globbing was made opt-in after version 4.0 to avoid unintended deletions.

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