Node.js fs.unlink() Method

08 Oct, 2021
The fs.unlink() method is used to remove a file or symbolic link from the filesystem. This function does not work on directories, therefore it is recommended to use fs.rmdir() to remove a directory.Syntax: 
fs.unlink( path, callback )
Parameters: This method accepts two parameters as mentioned above and described below: 
path: It is a string, Buffer or URL which represents the file or symbolic link which has to be removed.
callback: It is a function that would be called when the method is executed. 
err: It is an error that would be thrown if the method fails.
Below examples illustrate the fs.unlink() method in Node.js:Example 1: This example removes a file from the filesystem.
javascript
// Node.js program to demonstrate the// fs.unlink() method  // Import the filesystem moduleconst fs = require('fs');  // Get the files in current directory// before deletiongetFilesInDirectory();  // Delete example_file.txtfs.unlink("example_file.txt", (err => {  if (err) console.log(err);  else {    console.log("\nDeleted file: example_file.txt");      // Get the files in current directory    // after deletion    getFilesInDirectory();  }}));  // Function to get current filenames// in directory with specific extensionfunction getFilesInDirectory() {  console.log("\nFiles present in directory:");  let files = fs.readdirSync(__dirname);  files.forEach(file => {    console.log(file);  });}
Output: 
Files present in directory:
example_file.txt
index.js
package.json

Deleted file: example_file.txt

Files present in directory:
index.js
package.json
Example 2: This example removes a symbolic link from the filesystem.
javascript
// Node.js program to demonstrate the// fs.unlink() method  // Import the filesystem moduleconst fs = require('fs');  // Creating symlink to filefs.symlinkSync(__dirname + "\\example_file.txt", "symlinkToFile");console.log("\nSymbolic link to example_file.txt created");  // Function to get current filenames// in directory with specific extensiongetFilesInDirectory();  // Deleting symbolic link to example_file.txt// Delete example_file.txtfs.unlink("symlinkToFile", (err => {  if (err) console.log(err);  else {    console.log("\nDeleted Symbolic Link: symlinkToFile");      // Get the files in current directory    // after deletion    getFilesInDirectory();  }}));  // Function to get current filenames// in directory with specific extensionfunction getFilesInDirectory() {  console.log("\nFiles present in directory:");  let files = fs.readdirSync(__dirname);  files.forEach(file => {    console.log(file);  });}
Output: 
Symbolic link to example_file.txt created

Files present in directory:
example_file.txt
index.js
package.json
symlinkToFile

Deleted Symbolic Link: symlinkToFile

Files present in directory:
example_file.txt
index.js
package.json
Reference: https://nodejs.org/api/fs.html#fs_fs_unlink_path_callback
simmytarika5
Node.js-fs-module
Node.js
Web Technologies
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