QB64-website/wiki/KILL.md

The KILL statement deletes a file designated by a STRING value or variable.

Syntax

KILL fileSpec$

• fileSpec$ is a literal or variable string path and filename. Wildcards * and ? can be used with caution.
  • • denotes one or more wildcard letters of a name or extension
  • ? denotes one wildcard letter of a name or extension
• fileSpec$ can include a path that can be either relative to the program's current location or absolute, from the root drive.
• KILL cannot remove an OPEN file. The program must CLOSE it first.
• If the path or file does not exist, a "File not found" or "Path not found" ERROR Codes will result. See _FILEEXISTS.
• [SHELL](SHELL) "DEL /Q " + fileName$ does the same without a prompt or verification for wildcard deletions.
• [SHELL](SHELL) "DEL /P " + fileName$ will ask for user verification.
• Cannot delete folders or directories. Use RMDIR to remove empty folders.
• Warning: files deleted with KILL will not go to the Recycle Bin and they cannot be restored.

Example(s)

KILL "C:\QBasic\data\2000data.dat"

See Also

• RMDIR, FILES, SHELL, OPEN
• CHDIR, MKDIR, NAME
• _FILEEXISTS, _DIREXISTS