format C:

Is

Code:

format C:

in command prompt the same delete-all function as

Code:

rm -rf /

in OS X?

 

i dunno...someone else try it first!

 

RM is OSX's equivalent of Windows del.

So no, rm and format are different commands.

 

all 'format' does is to rewrite the fat/ntfs file access and (with the right parameter) partition tables. It's been years since a format command from microsoft has actually done low-level formats on disk platters. You need a specialized disk controller to perform platter-level formats. Not cheap on windows or mac/unix machines.

Unix/mac rm commands do much the same thing in a more 'honest' way. There is pretending there, just clearing out inode disk allocation data and pointers file data.

In both cases, the original data REMAINS on the disk platters and is easily recoverable by simple utilities.

 

You are correct except for the platter level format being expensive.
Data Destruction software are example of platter level format.
There is also disk manufacturer low level format which is free for the particular disk manufacturer from which you bought the harddisk.

rm -rf /
Means delete the pointer for the root mount point (/).
This works for most abit all UNIX
-rf ((r)means recursive (if I remember correctly) (f) means force delete)
Best way to kill your friend's macbook
If he happen to irritate you with Apple advertising...

For Windows any equivalent command will prevent you from destroying the active partition, Windows will not let you commit suicide.

 

no, data destruction software DOES NOT low-level format the platters.

All that software does is to write, over and over again, specified patterns that wipe out USER data according to a certain specification.

The factory format, sectors, sector tables, ALL remain in place.

 

This is true.

:yes:

 

Yea I think I should have said data destruction but on the other hand low level harddisk format from Harddisk manufacturers do exist and are free for download.

 

Code:

rm -fr /

is equivalent to

Code:

deltree c: \y

Code:

mkfs.ntfs /dev/sda1

is equivalent to

Code:

format c:

 

Deltree no longer exists, starting in Server 2003/XP

Use RD /s directory_name.

 

You learn something every day Still, point remains that mkfs formats a disk like format does, and rd/del remove files like rm does.

 

Much truth in this one say.

:laugh: