Dired Extensions: Recursive Deletion and Copying

Summary: Extended dired commands for recursive copying, deletion, and moving of files. In addition zip and unzip commands. Be careful with these powerful commands. They are only for people who know exactly what they want to do.

Context: I assume that you use Emacs dired for file manipulations. This package empowers dired users with better commands for file copying and deletions. Very few questions are asked. The desired commands are just executed. Most commands are based on a split window setup, where commands such as copying is done from dired in one window to (dired of) another. The commands are best for people who hate questions like "do you really want to delete this file" or "you are sure you want to overwrite this file", etc.

How to get and install the tool: The dired extensions can be downloaded as dired-extensions.el. There is no particular installation necessary. I use the following in my .emacs file for definition of convenient keyboard shortcuts:


  (defun extend-dired-mode ()
   (define-key dired-mode-map "c" 'copy-files-to-other-window-directory)
   (define-key dired-mode-map "d" 'delete-files-from-dired)
   (define-key dired-mode-map "z" 'move-files-to-other-window-directory))

  (setq dired-mode-hook (list 'extend-dired-mode ))

How to use the tool: The following commands are available. Activate by M-x ...

Please consult Emacs online documention for more information: C-h f...

All commands work on marked file (mark with m in dired) or on the file implicitly marked by point.

 

Disclaimer: Aalborg University and Kurt Nørmark shall NOT be responsible for any harm caused by the use of this tool.

 
Kurt Nørmark
normark@cs.aau.dk
http://www.cs.aau.dk/~normark/