vl-file-delete (AutoLISP)

Deletes a file

Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac OS

Signature

(vl-file-delete filename)

filename

Type: String

Name of the file to be deleted. If you do not specify a full path name, vl-file-delete searches the AutoCAD default drawing directory.

Return Values

Type: T or nil

T if successful; nil if delete failed.

Release Information

Releases:

• AutoCAD R14 and later on Windows
• AutoCAD 2011 and later on Mac OS

History

AutoCAD 2021

• filename argument previously accepted an ASCII text string, but now accepts a Unicode text string.
• LISPSYS system variable controls which AutoLISP engine is used and the behavior of the function.
  • 0 - ASCII character support (legacy behavior)
  • 1 or 2 - Unicode character support
  Note: After the value of the LISPSYS system variable has been changed, AutoCAD must be restarted for the change to take affect.

Examples

Windows

Delete newauto.bat:

(vl-file-delete "newauto.bat")
nil

Nothing was deleted because there is no newauto.bat file in the AutoCAD default drawing directory.

Delete the newauto.bat file in the c:\ directory:

(vl-file-delete "c:/newauto.bat")
T

The delete was successful because the full path name identified an existing file.

Mac OS

Delete newstart.sh:

(vl-file-delete "newstart.sh")
nil

Nothing was deleted because there is no newstart.sh file in the AutoCAD default drawing directory.

Delete the newstart.sh file in the / <root> directory:

(vl-file-delete "/newstart.sh")
T

The delete was successful because the full path name identified an existing file.