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32 .\" @(#)ln.1 8.2 (Berkeley) 12/30/93
52 .Ar source_file Ar target_file
56 utility creates a new directory entry (linked file) which has the
57 same modes as the original file.
58 It is useful for maintaining multiple copies of a file in many places
59 at once without using up storage for the
64 There are two types of links; hard links and symbolic links.
67 to a file is one of the differences between a hard and symbolic link.
69 The options are as follows:
72 If the target file already exists,
73 then unlink it so that the link may occur.
76 option overrides any previous
84 is a symbolic link, do not follow it.
85 This is most useful with the
87 option, to replace a symlink which may point to a directory.
91 to write a prompt to standard error if the target file exists.
92 If the response from the standard input begins with the character
96 then unlink the target file so that the link may occur.
97 Otherwise, do not attempt the link.
100 option overrides any previous
106 for compatibility with other
110 Create a symbolic link.
114 to be verbose, showing files as they are processed.
122 A hard link to a file is indistinguishable from the original directory entry;
123 any changes to a file are effectively independent of the name used to reference
125 Hard links may not normally refer to directories and may not span file systems.
127 A symbolic link contains the name of the file to
129 The referenced file is used when an
131 operation is performed on the link.
134 on a symbolic link will return the linked-to file; an
136 must be done to obtain information about the link.
139 call may be used to read the contents of a symbolic link.
140 Symbolic links may span file systems and may refer to directories.
142 Given one or two arguments,
144 creates a link to an existing file
148 is given, the link has that name;
150 may also be a directory in which to place the link;
151 otherwise it is placed in the current directory.
152 If only the directory is specified, the link will be made
153 to the last component of
156 Given more than two arguments,
160 to all the named source files.
161 The links made will have the same name as the files being linked to.
163 When the utility is called as
165 exactly two arguments must be supplied,
166 neither of which may specify a directory.
167 No options may be supplied in this simple mode of operation,
170 operation using the two passed arguments.
178 options are non-standard and their use in scripts is not recommended.
179 They are provided solely for compatibility with other