When should you use the -r option with the rm command?

The -r option with the rm command is used to remove directories and their contents recursively. When this option is specified, rm will not only delete the directory itself but also all files and subdirectories contained within that directory, allowing for a comprehensive removal process. This is particularly useful when you want to clear out an entire directory structure without having to delete each file and directory individually.

Using this option can prevent the need for repeated commands and simplify the process of cleanup for entire directories. It's important to exercise caution when using this option, as it does not prompt for confirmation by default, leading to irreversible deletions of files.

The other choices suggest scenarios where the -r option is either not applicable or insufficient for the task. For instance, removing files only does not require recursion, as files can be deleted directly without the need for navigating through directory structures. Removing files without confirmation refers to a different use case involving the -f option rather than -r. Removing empty directories can simply be done using rm without requiring recursion, as empty directories do not contain any contents that need to be traversed. Thus, the recursive nature of the -r option is specifically relevant when both directories and their contents need to be removed.