> > rm [Aa]*
> > rm [Bb]*
> > rm [Cc]*
> 
> I wrote a C program that would create a batch to do just that:
>   rm mail.err.%d.gz.%d.gz.%d.gz.%d.gz*
> where each %d goes from 1 to 9.. If I reduce it by 1 %d.gz, I get the

I didn't notice the front end of this thread so I'm not sure what's going
on but this looks like a dandy place for a Perl script.  The problem is I
don't know where these files are located.  But just to hint at a solution

ls | myscript.pl

with 

@files = <STDIN>

will generate an array of file names.  You can then grab them one at a
time, do anything you want to change their names, and then execute the rm
command.
 
> Argument List too long. It's naturally quite inefficient, takes hours to
> run. I was hoping there was a Unix utility that would delete all files
> without first expanding the parameters..  

This hints that you're overrunning the bounds of rm with
filenames.  Again, a perl script might help.  If nothing else you can
stick those rm [Aa]*, rm [Bb]* commands into a single shell script.  No
need to get fancy I should think.  Sorry if I've completely misunderstood
the goal.

Cheers --- Larry





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