TestOut Linux Pro Practice Test 2025 - Free Linux Pro Practice Questions and Study Guide

The command used to remove a directory and all its contents in Linux is `rm -rf`. This command combines two options: `-r`, which stands for recursive, and `-f`, which stands for force. The recursive option allows the command to delete not just the directory itself but also all its subdirectories and files, regardless of whether they are empty or not. The force option bypasses any confirmation prompts, enabling the removal process to proceed without interruptions.

This command is commonly used when you want to ensure that a directory and everything inside it are completely deleted without being stopped by existing files or write-protection settings. It's important to use this command with caution, as it does not prompt for confirmation and can lead to the irreversible loss of data if applied incorrectly.

Understanding the context of the other choices helps clarify why they are not suitable for this task: `rmdir` only removes empty directories; `del` is a command found in DOS and Windows environments, not Linux; while `remove` is not a recognized command in the Linux command line.