link(1) — Commands
NAME
link, unlink − Creates an additional directory entry for an existing file
SYNOPSIS
link file1 file2
unlink file
STANDARDS
Interfaces documented on this reference page conform to industry standards as follows:
link: XCU5.0
unlink: XCU5.0
Refer to the standards(5) reference page for more information about industry standards and associated tags.
DESCRIPTION
The link command performs the link() system call to create an additional directory entry for an existing file, file1. In effect, the underlying file then has two names, file1 and file2 (either of these arguments can be a pathname). The old and new entries share equal access rights to the underlying file.
The unlink command performs the unlink() system call to remove a link to file created by link. The unlink command removes the directory entry specified by the file parameter and, if the entry is a hard link, decrements the link count of the file referenced by the link.
You should be familiar with the link() and unlink() system calls before you use these commands.
The link and unlink commands do not issue error messages when the associated system call is unsuccessful.
NOTES
The link and unlink commands cannot be used to link and unlink directories.
EXIT STATUS
The link and unlink commands both exit with the following:
0The link() or unlink() system call succeeded.
1Too few or too many arguments specified.
2The link() or unlink() system call failed.