How do I delete every alias on a disk

macgruder · 08-11-2003, 12:53 PM

Seems like a strange request, but I have a problem on my backup disk with psync in that it seems to be confused by alias files on the target disk, so I want to

Delete all aliases on a the target (backup disk) before I do the backup.

How would I do this?

robophilosopher · 08-11-2003, 05:07 PM

If, as I understand it, Mac OS X aliases are UNIX-style symlinks, you should be able to delete all aliases on a drive (or, in a directory) by opening a terminal window and typing:

Code:

find /path/ -type l -exec rm -f {} \;

(note that there is a space between {} and \; )

This translates to "find files in the directory /path/ (and all subdirectories) of type symbolic link (Alias). For each you find, execute the remove command, and don't ask me for confirmation." Keep in mind that UNIX-style removing will not move files to the Trashcan, so be careful! And make sure to get your path right, or you could wind up deleting all aliases on your computer, which would royally screw up iPhoto libraries, etc etc.

I don't know what the path would be for a second Mac HD, as I don't have one... but the "mount" command should provide clues.

If you just run

Code:

find /path/ -type l

you'll be able to see a list of the files that will be deleted without actually deleting them. A good way to check yourself.

Hope this helps!

mervTormel · 08-11-2003, 07:16 PM

the shell command find, above, is only going to find unix style symbolic links.

finder style aliases are not findable from the shell, without considerable evaluation.

so, use the finder find facility to find finder aliaii ;]

there, you can select the results and command-delete them to the trash

macgruder · 08-11-2003, 11:38 PM

Quote:


	Originally posted by robophilosopher If, as I understand it, Mac OS X aliases are UNIX-style symlinks, you should be able to delete all aliases on a drive (or, in a directory) by opening a terminal window and typing: Code: find /path/ -type l -exec rm -f {} \; (note that there is a space between {} and \; ) I don't know what the path would be for a second Mac HD, as I don't have one... but the "mount" command should provide clues. Hope this helps!

Thanks! I'd forgotten, but I'd used a similar command before to remove certain small files. No trouble with the path [/Volumes/backup/]

hayne · 08-12-2003, 02:15 AM

Quote:


	Originally posted by robophilosopher If, as I understand it, Mac OS X aliases are UNIX-style symlinks, ...

Ah - but they aren't! Mac OS aliases are conceptually like sym-links but they are implemented completely independently.
See overview in Apple Developer Doc

Hence, as Merv has already explained, you can't detect them with ' type l' in 'find'.

aitte · 06-03-2012, 02:17 PM

I'll bump this old thread by saying how to do it from the terminal (Spotlight MUST be enabled on the drive and any folders/paths excluded from Spotlight will NOT be covered):

mdfind "kMDItemKind == 'Alias'" -onlyin ~/Desktop

You can use any valid unix path for -onlyin to limit search to subfolders of that path, or remove the command to search every drive that spotlight indexes.

Note:

mdfind "kMDItemKind == 'Alias'" -onlyin /
mdfind "kMDItemKind == 'Alias'"

Are NOT equivalent.

The first one ONLY searches the root drive.
The second one searches EVERY indexed drive/volume in the computer.

08-11-2003, 12:53 PM	#1
macgruder Prospect Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 45	How do I delete every alias on a disk Seems like a strange request, but I have a problem on my backup disk with psync in that it seems to be confused by alias files on the target disk, so I want to Delete all aliases on a the target (backup disk) before I do the backup. How would I do this?

08-11-2003, 05:07 PM	#2
robophilosopher Triple-A Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silver Spring, MD, USA Posts: 57	UNIX Solution If, as I understand it, Mac OS X aliases are UNIX-style symlinks, you should be able to delete all aliases on a drive (or, in a directory) by opening a terminal window and typing: Code: find /path/ -type l -exec rm -f {} \; (note that there is a space between {} and \; ) This translates to "find files in the directory /path/ (and all subdirectories) of type symbolic link (Alias). For each you find, execute the remove command, and don't ask me for confirmation." Keep in mind that UNIX-style removing will not move files to the Trashcan, so be careful! And make sure to get your path right, or you could wind up deleting all aliases on your computer, which would royally screw up iPhoto libraries, etc etc. I don't know what the path would be for a second Mac HD, as I don't have one... but the "mount" command should provide clues. If you just run Code: find /path/ -type l you'll be able to see a list of the files that will be deleted without actually deleting them. A good way to check yourself. Hope this helps!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

08-11-2003, 07:16 PM	#3
mervTormel League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 5,536	the shell command find, above, is only going to find unix style symbolic links. finder style aliases are not findable from the shell, without considerable evaluation. so, use the finder find facility to find finder aliaii ;] there, you can select the results and command-delete them to the trash

06-03-2012, 02:17 PM	#6
aitte Prospect Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5	I'll bump this old thread by saying how to do it from the terminal (Spotlight MUST be enabled on the drive and any folders/paths excluded from Spotlight will NOT be covered): mdfind "kMDItemKind == 'Alias'" -onlyin ~/Desktop You can use any valid unix path for -onlyin to limit search to subfolders of that path, or remove the command to search every drive that spotlight indexes. Note: mdfind "kMDItemKind == 'Alias'" -onlyin / mdfind "kMDItemKind == 'Alias'" Are NOT equivalent. The first one ONLY searches the root drive. The second one searches EVERY indexed drive/volume in the computer.