Why does deleting a folder from the command line take longer than manual deletion?

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I noticed whenever I want to delete a folder containing a lot of data using a command line (sudo rm -r folder_name), the Terminal hangs on for the operation to terminate. But at the same time, when I manually delete a folder of similar size, the deletion is performed instantly without waiting.



Any explanation as to why this difference happens






command-line delete







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    up vote
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    down vote

    favorite












    I noticed whenever I want to delete a folder containing a lot of data using a command line (sudo rm -r folder_name), the Terminal hangs on for the operation to terminate. But at the same time, when I manually delete a folder of similar size, the deletion is performed instantly without waiting.



    Any explanation as to why this difference happens






    command-line delete







    share|improve this question

























      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite











      I noticed whenever I want to delete a folder containing a lot of data using a command line (sudo rm -r folder_name), the Terminal hangs on for the operation to terminate. But at the same time, when I manually delete a folder of similar size, the deletion is performed instantly without waiting.



      Any explanation as to why this difference happens






      command-line delete







      share|improve this question















      I noticed whenever I want to delete a folder containing a lot of data using a command line (sudo rm -r folder_name), the Terminal hangs on for the operation to terminate. But at the same time, when I manually delete a folder of similar size, the deletion is performed instantly without waiting.



      Any explanation as to why this difference happens






      command-line delete




      command-line delete






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      Boann

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          1 Answer
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          When you delete from the GUI you are only moving the files to the trash bin. This updates the pointers to the files instantaneously saying that they now reside in the trash bin which is another folder.



          When you delete from the command line like that it is removing the files 1 by 1 until they are all gone from within the folder then removing the folder itself. This bypasses the trash bin. This also takes longer.



          If you do a Shift+Del in the GUI this will bypass the trash bin and take longer to delete.



          Hope this helps!






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            When you delete from the GUI you are only moving the files to the trash bin. This updates the pointers to the files instantaneously saying that they now reside in the trash bin which is another folder.



            When you delete from the command line like that it is removing the files 1 by 1 until they are all gone from within the folder then removing the folder itself. This bypasses the trash bin. This also takes longer.



            If you do a Shift+Del in the GUI this will bypass the trash bin and take longer to delete.



            Hope this helps!






            share|improve this answer


























              up vote
              10
              down vote













              When you delete from the GUI you are only moving the files to the trash bin. This updates the pointers to the files instantaneously saying that they now reside in the trash bin which is another folder.



              When you delete from the command line like that it is removing the files 1 by 1 until they are all gone from within the folder then removing the folder itself. This bypasses the trash bin. This also takes longer.



              If you do a Shift+Del in the GUI this will bypass the trash bin and take longer to delete.



              Hope this helps!






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                10
                down vote










                up vote
                10
                down vote









                When you delete from the GUI you are only moving the files to the trash bin. This updates the pointers to the files instantaneously saying that they now reside in the trash bin which is another folder.



                When you delete from the command line like that it is removing the files 1 by 1 until they are all gone from within the folder then removing the folder itself. This bypasses the trash bin. This also takes longer.



                If you do a Shift+Del in the GUI this will bypass the trash bin and take longer to delete.



                Hope this helps!






                share|improve this answer














                When you delete from the GUI you are only moving the files to the trash bin. This updates the pointers to the files instantaneously saying that they now reside in the trash bin which is another folder.



                When you delete from the command line like that it is removing the files 1 by 1 until they are all gone from within the folder then removing the folder itself. This bypasses the trash bin. This also takes longer.



                If you do a Shift+Del in the GUI this will bypass the trash bin and take longer to delete.



                Hope this helps!







                share|improve this answer














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                Terrance

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