Rodney M. Hopkins wrote:
> 
> OK, I'm a big dummy.
> 
> I'm was in mail reading messages.  Forgot I was in mail, typed, "ps -axl"
> which mail translated as 'ignore the p and save the current message in a
> file named -axl.'

Nah, it happens from time to time.
 
> Well, to make a long story short, I now have this file named, "-axl" in my
> home directory.  I can't for the life of me figure out how to delete it.
> "rm -axl" gives me an "rm: illegal option --a" error.  I'd like to be able
> to get rid of this file without trashing the entire directory that it's in.
> 
> I'm not running X or dt, so I can't drag the file away...
> 
> Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Try reading the rm(1) man page :-)

If you simple want to remove it, try:

rm -- -axl

the -- tells rm that all the following arguments are file names, not
options.  I think that there are similar facilities in other programs in
case you wanted to do something other than remove the file.

Later.

-- 
Colin Wood                                 cwood@ichips.intel.com
Component Design Engineer - MD6                 Intel Corporation
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I speak only on my own behalf, not for my employer.