LN(1) UNIX Programmer's Manual LN(1) NNAAMMEE ln - make links SSYYNNOOPPSSIISS llnn [ --ss ] sourcename [ targetname ] llnn [ --ss ] sourcename1 sourcename2 [ sourcename3 ... ] tar- getdirectory DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN A link is a directory entry referring to a file; the same file (together with its size, all its protection informa- tion, etc.) may have several links to it. There are two kinds of links: hard links and symbolic links. By default _l_n makes hard links. A hard link to a file is indistinguishable from the original directory entry; any changes to a file are effective independent of the name used to reference the file. Hard links may not refer to direc- tories (unless the proper incantations are supplied) and may not span file systems. The --ss option causes _l_n to create symbolic links. A sym- bolic link contains the name of the file to which it is linked. The referenced file is used when an _o_p_e_n(2) opera- tion is performed on the link. A _s_t_a_t(2) on a symbolic link will return the linked-to file; an _l_s_t_a_t(2) must be done to obtain information about the link. The _r_e_a_d_l_i_n_k(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, _l_n creates a link to an existing file _s_o_u_r_c_e_n_a_m_e. If _t_a_r_g_e_t_n_a_m_e is given, the link has that name; _t_a_r_g_e_t_n_a_m_e 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 _s_o_u_r_c_e_n_a_m_e. Given more than two arguments, _l_n makes links in _t_a_r_g_e_t_- _d_i_r_e_c_t_o_r_y to all the named source files. The links made will have the same name as the files being linked to. SSEEEE AALLSSOO rm(1), cp(1), mv(1), link(2), readlink(2), stat(2), sym- link(2) Printed 7/9/88 November 26, 1986 1