What's the difference between delete & archive?

Asked by: Treva Stokes  |  Last update: February 15, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (60 votes)

"Delete" usually means permanent removal or erasure (like wiping from existence), while "remove" often means taking something out of view but keeping it recoverable (like moving to trash or hiding from a list). In databases, DELETE removes rows with conditions (DML), TRUNCATE quickly empties a table (DDL), and DROP permanently deletes the entire table structure. The specific meaning depends heavily on the context, such as user interfaces, programming, or database management.

What does delete[] mean?

The delete[] operator frees storage allocated for array objects created with new[] . The delete operator frees storage allocated for individual objects created with new .

What's the difference between delete and TRUNCATE?

DELETE : Removes rows from a table, supports WHERE clause, can be rolled back (DML), triggers are fired, and logs individual row deletions. TRUNCATE : Removes all rows without a WHERE clause, faster than DELETE (DDL), minimally logged, does not fire triggers, and cannot be rolled back unless in a transaction.

What's the difference between delete and remove?

Delete means something gets erased from the system completely. Remove means that it still exists in the system, just not visible in the UI. So I guess I would describe deleting as erasing from backend and removing as hiding from frontend. She went on to explain some more, in context to the software we work on.

What is the main difference between delete[] and delete?

Delete is used to delete a single object initiated using new keyword whereas delete[] is used to delete a group of objects initiated with the new operator.

What Is The Difference Between Deleting And Archiving?

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Why do we use delete?

Delete is a command on computer systems that allows you to wipe data from your device permanently. This can be used for both temporary clean-ups and to protect personal information from falling into the wrong hands.

How does delete[] know the size?

The most common approach is to allocate a small amount of extra memory (a header) before the start of the array and store the size in it. When invoking delete[] p , the implementation then just needs to walk back a fixed amount from the passed-in pointer to read the size.

What apps should you delete immediately?

You should immediately delete apps that are known for malware, excessive data collection (like some flashlight, antivirus, or older social media apps), or those you don't use, such as pre-installed bloatware or redundant tools (like separate QR scanners when your camera works) to improve privacy, battery, and storage. Specific apps flagged in recent reports include CamScanner, Cash Magnet, Xamalicious, and some horoscope/antivirus apps, while popular social media apps (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) are flagged for heavy data usage. 

What do you mean by delete?

Delete means to erase. Delete has its roots in Latin and was first used to mean destroy. In modern usage, delete means to remove completely. Delete used in writing means to edit by removing, often done by drawing a line through the text to be deleted .

How to undo after delete?

To get back something you accidentally deleted, first check the Recycle Bin (Windows)/Trash (Mac); if it's not there, use File History/Time Machine backups or check your cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive) for previous versions or deleted files, and for permanent deletions, use data recovery software as a last resort, acting quickly to avoid overwriting data. 

Which is faster DELETE or TRUNCATE?

Truncate removes all the rows from a table and frees up the space occupied by the table. It resets the identity column to its initial value if there is one. It is faster than Delete, as it does not have to scan the rows to be deleted. Truncate does not generate any transaction logs and hence it is faster than Delete.

Is TRUNCATE DDL or DML?

Although TRUNCATE TABLE is similar to DELETE , it is classified as a DDL statement rather than a DML statement. It differs from DELETE in the following ways: Truncate operations drop and re-create the table, which is much faster than deleting rows one by one, particularly for large tables.

What is the difference between append and TRUNCATE?

Append allows to add new data at the end of file while truncate to cut some last characters in file. Both are different logic: append is much simpler since it deals mostly with file length. Truncate in the other side must take into account such aspects as not full last block or truncated block referenced in snapshots.

Does delete free memory?

The delete operator frees the memory which was previously allocated using the new operator. This means that the memory is now available to be used by the system, for instance when there is another use of new later in the program. It does not clear the data in the memory, however.

What's the difference between delete and erase?

Erase refers to the act of removing something written, usually by rubbing it. If something is erased, it is gone from existence, while if something is deleted, it means removing files from one place, however, it does exist in another, and it is recoverable. If something is erased, it does not exist anymore.

How to use the delete method?

DELETE Method in HTTP

  1. Purpose: Used to permanently remove a specific resource from the server.
  2. Idempotency: Repeating a DELETE request has the same effect as a single request, the resource stays deleted.
  3. Request Body: Typically not required, as the URI defines the resource.

What files should I not delete?

You should never delete operating system files, core program files, or any personal files you haven't backed up, as deleting these critical system files (like those in C:\Windows, C:\Program Files, System32, or AppData) can break your computer, cause crashes, or make it unbootable, requiring a full reinstall. Always use trusted tools like Disk Cleanup for temporary files and be cautious with anything you didn't create yourself. 

Are deleted files gone forever?

When you delete a file, it might seem like it's gone forever. In reality, however, the situation is different. The operating system simply marks the space on the disk as “available” for new data. The file itself still exists but becomes invisible to the user.

What does "dirty deleting" mean?

Dirty Deleting is when a person makes a post or comment on social media that provokes outrage. In that discomfort and embarrassment (possibly even guilt or shame) the poster chooses to delete—if it is not there it did not happen—rather than acknowledge, apologize, or make a correction.

Which apps cannot be hacked?

WhatsApp

  • WhatsApp encryption is established, and users are explicitly warned when end-to-end encryption is not applied to a particular chat.
  • WhatsApp does not store messages on its servers, so if cybercriminals were to hack into the platform, they would not be able to decrypt any of the messages.

What is the most deleted app?

Top 5 most deleted apps in 2024

  • Top 5 most deleted apps in 2024. TikTok. ...
  • Instagram. Instagram's decline in user retention is another highlight of 2024. ...
  • Snapchat. Snapchat, once the favourite of Gen Z, experienced a drop in engagement. ...
  • Facebook. ...
  • Twitter (X)

What should I delete when my phone is full?

  1. Close apps that don't respond. You don't usually need to close apps. ...
  2. Uninstall apps you don't use. If you uninstall an app and need it later, you can download it again. ...
  3. Clear the app's cache & data. You can usually clear an app's cache and data with your phone's Settings app.

When to use delete[] vs delete?

The delete operator deallocates memory and calls the destructor for a single object created with new . The delete [] operator deallocates memory and calls destructors for an array of objects created with new [] .

What does size() do?

In C++, the . size() method returns the number of elements in the vector. This method is also available for other STL containers like std::string , std::map , and std::list .

What is Clrscr (); in C++?

Clear Console using clrscr()

The function upon calling clears all the data from the console, giving a blank console screen in return. The function may be called anywhere in the program, but is generally called at the start of the program to assure that the console is clear when the program has started executing.