How to create a file with its name starting with dash in Linux? (ex "-file")

Question

How can I create a file named "-file" using command line in Linux?

score 19 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 17 '16 at 08:52

19

specify a path in front of it, e.g. ./-file

answered Nov 17 '16 at 08:52

Stefan Hegny

karel · Answer 2 · 2021-12-05T14:29:44.830

17

In bash -- is a flag that is interpreted as "nothing after this should be taken as a flag", so - is no longer parsed as an option.

touch -- -file

edited Dec 05 '21 at 14:29

answered Nov 17 '16 at 08:54

karel

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 18 '21 at 14:43

0

ls -ltr | awk '$NF ~ /^--/{print "rm ./" $NF}'|sh

answered Oct 18 '21 at 14:43

user8854776

While this code may answer the question, providing additional context regarding how and/or why it solves the problem would improve the answer's long-term value. You can find more information on how to write good answers in the help center: https://stackoverflow.com/help/how-to-answer . Good luck – nima Oct 19 '21 at 12:38
thanx a lot! :) – sebthesaviour Oct 19 '21 at 15:23

3 Answers3