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32 .\" @(#)ln.1 8.2 (Berkeley) 12/30/93
56 .Ar source_file Ar target_file
60 utility creates a new directory entry (linked file) for the file name
65 will be created with the same file modes as the
67 It is useful for maintaining multiple copies of a file in many places
68 at once without using up storage for the
73 There are two types of links; hard links and symbolic links.
76 to a file is one of the differences between a hard and symbolic link.
78 The options are as follows:
81 If the target file already exists,
82 then unlink it so that the link may occur.
85 option overrides any previous
91 If the target file already exists and is a directory, then remove it
92 so that the link may occur.
95 option should be used with either
100 If none is specified,
105 option is a no-op unless
113 is a symbolic link, do not follow it.
114 This is most useful with the
116 option, to replace a symlink which may point to a directory.
120 to write a prompt to standard error if the target file exists.
121 If the response from the standard input begins with the character
125 then unlink the target file so that the link may occur.
126 Otherwise, do not attempt the link.
129 option overrides any previous
135 for compatibility with other
139 Create a symbolic link.
143 to be verbose, showing files as they are processed.
145 Warn if the source of a symbolic link does not currently exist.
153 A hard link to a file is indistinguishable from the original directory entry;
154 any changes to a file are effectively independent of the name used to reference
156 Directories may not be hardlinked, and hard links may not span file systems.
158 A symbolic link contains the name of the file to
160 The referenced file is used when an
162 operation is performed on the link.
165 on a symbolic link will return the linked-to file; an
167 must be done to obtain information about the link.
170 call may be used to read the contents of a symbolic link.
171 Symbolic links may span file systems and may refer to directories.
173 Given one or two arguments,
175 creates a link to an existing file
179 is given, the link has that name;
181 may also be a directory in which to place the link;
182 otherwise it is placed in the current directory.
183 If only the directory is specified, the link will be made
184 to the last component of
187 Given more than two arguments,
191 to all the named source files.
192 The links made will have the same name as the files being linked to.
194 When the utility is called as
196 exactly two arguments must be supplied,
197 neither of which may specify a directory.
198 No options may be supplied in this simple mode of operation,
201 operation using the two passed arguments.
210 options are non-standard and their use in scripts is not recommended.
211 They are provided solely for compatibility with other
219 extention and should not be used in portable scripts.