NAME

ln − make links

SYNOPSIS

ln name1 [ name2 ]
ln name ... directory

DESCRIPTION

A link is a directory entry referring to a file; the same file (together with its size, all its protection information, etc.)  may be referred to by several links.  It is impossible to distinguish a link to a file from its original directory entry; any changes in the file are effective independently of the name by which the file is recognized. 

Given one or two arguments, ln creates a link to an existing file name1. If name2 is given, the link acquires that name.  Name2 may also be a directory in which to place the link; otherwise, the link is placed in the current directory.  If only the directory is specified, the link is created with its name identical to the last component of name1.

Given more than two arguments, ln creates links to all the named files in the named directory.  These links have the identical name as the files to which they are linked. 

It is forbidden to link to a directory or to link across file systems. 

SEE ALSO

rm(1), cp(1), mv(1)

4th Berkeley Distribution  —  %W%%Q%%Y%