ln, link -- make links
ln [-fhinsv] source_file [target_file]
ln [-fhinsv] source_file ... target_dir
link source_file target_file
The ln utility creates a new directory entry (linked file) which has the
same modes as the original file. It is useful for maintaining multiple
copies of a file in many places at once without using up storage for the
``copies''; instead, a link ``points'' to the original copy. There are
two types of links; hard links and symbolic links. How a link ``points''
to a file is one of the differences between a hard and symbolic link.
The options are as follows:
-f If the target file already exists, then unlink it so that the link
may occur. (The -f option overrides any previous -i options.)
-h If the target_file or target_dir is a symbolic link, do not follow
it. This is most useful with the -f option, to replace a symlink
which may point to a directory.
-i Cause ln to write a prompt to standard error if the target file
exists. If the response from the standard input begins with the
character `y' or `Y', then unlink the target file so that the link
may occur. Otherwise, do not attempt the link. (The -i option
overrides any previous -f options.)
-n Same as -h, for compatibility with other ln implementations.
-s Create a symbolic link.
-v Cause ln to be verbose, showing files as they are processed.
By default, ln makes hard links. A hard link to a file is indistinguishable
from the original directory entry; any changes to a file are effectively
independent of the name used to reference the file. Hard links
may not normally refer to directories and may not span file systems.
A symbolic link contains the name of the file to which it is linked. The
referenced file is used when an open(2) operation is performed on the
link. A stat(2) on a symbolic link will return the linked-to file; an
lstat(2) must be done to obtain information about the link. The
readlink(2) call may be used to read the contents of a symbolic link.
Symbolic links may span file systems and may refer to directories.
Given one or two arguments, ln creates a link to an existing file
source_file. If target_file is given, the link has that name;
target_file may also be a directory in which to place the link; otherwise
it is placed in the current directory. If only the directory is specified,
the link will be made to the last component of source_file.
Given more than two arguments, ln makes links in target_dir to all the
named source files. The links made will have the same name as the files
being linked to.
When the utility is called as link, exactly two arguments must be supplied,
neither of which may specify a directory. No options may be supplied
in this simple mode of operation, which performs a link(2) operation
using the two passed arguments.
link(2), lstat(2), readlink(2), stat(2), symlink(2), symlink(7)
The -h, -i, -n and -v options are non-standard and their use in scripts
is not recommended. They are provided solely for compatibility with
other ln implementations.
The ln utility conforms to IEEE Std 1003.2-1992 (``POSIX.2'').
The simplified link command conforms to Version 2 of the Single UNIX
Specification (``SUSv2'').
An ln command appeared in Version 1 AT&T UNIX.
FreeBSD 5.2.1 December 30, 1993 FreeBSD 5.2.1 [ Back ] |
