Remove all files except some from a directory

Question

When using sudo rm -r, how can I delete all files, with the exception of the following:

textfile.txt
backup.tar.gz
script.php
database.sql
info.         


        

Answer 1

If you're using zsh which I highly recommend.

rm -rf ^file/folder pattern to avoid

With extended_glob

setopt extended_glob
rm -- ^*.txt
rm -- ^*.(sql|txt)