Trash (computing)
In computing, the trash, also known by other names such as trash bin, dustbin, wastebasket, and similar names, is a graphical user interface desktop metaphor for temporary storage for files set aside by the user for deletion, but which are not yet permanently erased. This lifts the burden from the user of having to be highly careful while selecting files for deletion, since a trash bin provides a grace period to reverse unwanted deletions. The concept and name is part of Mac operating systems; a similar [|implementation] is called the Recycle Bin in Microsoft Windows, and other operating systems use other names, sometimes ending with "-bin".
In the file manager, the trash can be viewed by the user as a special file directory, allowing the user to browse the files and retain those still wanted before deleting the others permanently. It may still be possible using third party software to undelete those that were deleted by mistake. In Microsoft Windows and macOS, the Trash folder links to hidden folders on each mounted drive where the files are actually stored.
The duration for which files are retained in the trash bin varies depending on implementation. They may be retained indefinitely until manually deleted, deleted after a fixed period, or deleted when the recycle bin exceeds a certain size.
Within a trash folder, a record may be kept of each file and/or directory's original location, depending on the implementation. On certain operating systems, files must be moved out of the trash before they can be accessed again. An operating system or file manager may remove trashed files from the file system once they resided in the trash bin for a certain duration, for example after 30 days on Android, or once the trash bin grows to a certain size. Unlike in conventional folders, a trash bin may be able to contain files with duplicate names, given that a trash bin acts as a layer before permanent deletion from the file system. An implementation may store trashed files using custom names and references back to their original name stored as metadata, and/or inside hidden subfolders with non-duplicate names on the file system, such as the subfolders inside the
$RECYCLE.BIN folder [|on Microsoft Windows]. This is because the user needs to be able to trash any file that they would normally be able to permanently delete, including files with identical names stored in different directories.Whether or not files deleted by a program go to the recycle bin depends on its level of integration with a particular desktop environment and its function. Low-level utilities usually bypass this layer entirely and delete files immediately. A program that includes file manager functionality may or may not send files to the recycle bin, or it may allow the user to choose between these options.
History
began developing the Apple Lisa user interface in late 1978. In March 1982 he reached the stage of changing to an icon-based file manager, and produced a mock-up with a trash can icon for deleting files. The release version of Lisa was launched in 1983 with a "Wastebasket", its icon "an alley-style garbage can vertical lines to indicate a ribbed surface.... an open lid and a handle on the front of the can." Apple advertised "If you can find the trash can, you can run a computer."Following this, the Magic Desk I ROM cartridge for Commodore 64 presented a primitive representation of office furniture, with a wastebasket or trash bin under the desk. This lacked functionality and was not taken further.
In 1983 Susan Kare designed the core visual design language of Classic Mac OS System 1, launched in January 1984. This incorporated some elements of the Lisa interface, including a refined version of the icon, now labelled Trash, with "a closed lid with a handle on top." An ad supplement in Newsweek introduced the Mac interface, with its "pictures of objects you'll have no trouble recognizing... Even a trash can." A subsequent update to Lisa renamed its Wastebasket icon "Trash". In "International English" localizations of Classic Mac OS, Trash was named "Wastebasket".
In 1985, Amiga Workbench 1.0 was released. This took much inspiration from Mac OS, including trash bins. When formatting a floppy disk/hard drive partition, the user could select to add a bin to it. This would then appear as an icon titled "Trashcan" along with the other files. Users could drag unwanted files onto it and empty the bin later.
In early versions of the Macintosh Finder, Trash contents were in volatile memory, and were lost when the computer restarted. From 1987, if anything was in Trash its icon bulged as a reminder to check the contents before shutting down. Following the 1991 introduction of System 7, the Trash folder retains its contents until the user chooses to empty the trash.
The outcome of the lawsuit Apple Computer, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp. was that graphical user interfaces similar to Apple's did not infringe rights, but some features including Apple's Trash icon were original and protected by copyright. Non-Apple software could use other metaphors for file deletion, such as Recycle Bin, Smart Eraser, or Shredder.
In 1993 or 1994, Microsoft implemented its first temporary deletion system in MS-DOS 6, under the name Delete Sentry: When a file was deleted, it was moved to a hidden SENTRY folder at the root of the drive.
Microsoft introduced its current trash system in 1995, the Recycle Bin, with Windows 95, as an area to store and review files and folders prior to deletion. At default settings, the Recycle Bin auto-deletion permanently deletes files to free up disk space when it gets low, or deletes files in the Bin over 30 days. In this version, the original location record of the file is stored, but the folder itself did not allow subdirectories. When a folder is deleted, its containing files are moved into the bin and mixed with other deleted files. The directory structure can only be restored if the batch of files is "undeleted". The current Recycle Bin allows for subdirectory trees to exist within folders that have been moved there. The icon shows a bin with a recycling symbol on its front.
With the new interface of Mac OS X introduced in 2001, the Trash icon moved from the desktop to a permanent place at the end of the Dock. The International English "Wastebasket" had been dropped at the end of 2009, making the name "Trash" standard. In keeping with the system appearance, the Trash was a shiny wire basket, until with OS X Yosemite in 2014 it became a translucent white container. With macOS Mojave, the Trash was renamed "Bin" in the Australian English localisation, and with macOS Catalina, "Bin" also appeared in the UK localisation.
Implementations
Trash functionality is usually integrated into a desktop environment and its file manager. Examples include:- Classic Mac OS and macOS, with Finder, as "Trash"
- MS-DOS 6.x, with Microsoft Undelete, as "Delete Sentry"
- Microsoft Windows, with Windows Explorer, as "Recycle Bin"
- GNOME and MATE, with Nautilus and Caja, respectively
- KDE, with Konqueror and Dolphin
- Xfce, with Thunar
- Amiga, with Workbench. The Professional File System added trashcan-esque behavior at the filesystem level.
- Linux Mint with its default file manager, Nemo.
- Android OS since version 11, with a 30-day "grace period" until trashed files are removed from the file system.
Linux desktop environments
The KDE, GNOME and Xfce implementations comply with the freedesktop.org Trash specification, ensuring that any applications written with this specification in mind will be interoperable with any trash can implementation.Although the various Linux desktop environments such as GNOME, KDE, and Xfce provide a trash mechanism, there is traditionally no simple way to trash something from the command line interface. Some third-party applications, such as trash-cli, provide commands on the command-line to use the trash, compatible with the FreeDesktop.org Trash Specification.
macOS
Using macOS, a file or folder is deleted in Finder by dragging its icon onto the Trash icon at the right hand end of the Dock, moving the item into the Trash folder, where it can be viewed but not used until it is moved out again. To restore highlighted items from the Trash to their original position, a contextual menu brings up a Put Back option. The keyboard shortcut to move highlighted items to Trash, or Put Back items, is. To finally delete files, clicking on "Empty" brings up a warning that this cannot be undone, and an option to delete.Putting items in the Trash folder moves them to a hidden temporary folder: for the boot disk, a user account has this at ; each mounted volume such as an external drive has a hidden folder in the root folder named. When viewing the device's available space the space occupied by the deleted files is shown as occupied. The Trash folder shows deleted files from external drives, including removable media. This does not apply to networked drives, where trying to move an item to Trash brings up a warning that it will be deleted immediately and this cannot be undone.
Since OS X El Capitan, the Trash can be bypassed by pressing when a file is selected. Since macOS Sierra, the user can enable an option to have the Trash automatically empty after 30 days.
In UK and Australian English localisations, the Trash is known as "Bin".