Q. Is There a UNIX / Linux unerase or undelete command? How do I undelete files under a UNIX / Linux system?
A.. Short answer - no.
There is no "unerase" or "undelete" command in Linux / *BSD / Unix like operating system such as AIX or HP-UX . The best solution is to restore file from a backup. You can also use a data recovery tool but there is no guaranty you will get back the data. Always use following method to avoid problems:
=> Make regular backups and file system snapshots
=> Never ever login as root for non admin related tasks
=> Always use a regular user account for all normal tasks
=> Alias rm / mv / cp command as rm -i / mv -i
alias cp='cp -i'
alias mv='mv -i'
alias rm='rm -i'
=> Make important file copy before editing
=> Use RAID 6 or above hardware card as additional protection for file server
=> Keep files safe from accidental overwriting with noclobber under BASH shell
=> Make a Linux File unchangeable ( unalterable ) so that no one can modify it - including root user
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- Last Updated: 3-5-08

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
you can also use the -b option when using rm mv or cp
so that there will be a backup if you want to restore it, if now then you can erase it later when you are sure you won’t use it.
WRONG: never use “alias rm=’rm -i’”. Gives you the habit to use “rm *” all too often. Can be distastrous on accounts where this alias is not defined. (Own experience :( )
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