You can delete a collection, including subcollections, files, links, and associated metadata, if the following criteria are all true:
- Your user account has the group administrator role.
- You created that collection.
To delete a collection:
Run the following command:
dm_delete_collection [optional parameters] <collection-path>The following table describes each parameter:
Parameter Description [-f]
By default, the system performs a soft deletion. The system retains the specified collection for two years and then permanently deletes it. To perform immediately permanent deletion, include the -f parameter.
[-r]
An optional parameter:
- If you specify this parameter, the system deletes all the files and subcollections under the specified collection recursively.
- If you do not specify this parameter, the system deletes the collection only if it is empty.
<collection-path>
A path within DME. Specify the collection that you want to delete. The system prompts you to confirm the deletion.
- Type Y and press Enter. If you specified the recursive (-r) parameter, the system asks whether you want to see the data that will be deleted.
- Respond to the prompt and press Enter. The system lists or describes the data to be deleted and prompts you to confirm the deletion again.
- Type Y and press Enter. The system responds based on your parameters.
For example, the following command deletes the /Example_Archive/downloads collection, all subcollections within that collection, and all files within those collections.
For instructions on deleting an empty collection in the GUI, refer to Deleting a Collection via the GUI. To request deletion of data you did not create or older data, contact NCIDataVault@mail.nih.gov.
