NAME

ln − make links to files

SYNOPSIS

ln [ −s ] name1 name2
ln files directory

DESCRIPTION

A link is a directory entry referring to a file; a single file (including its size, all its protection information, etc.)  may have several links to it.  There are two kinds of links: hard links and symbolic links. 

By default ln 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 span filesystems and may not refer to directories. 

OPTION

−s Causes ln to create symbolic links. 

A symbolic link contains the name of the file to which it is linked.  The referenced file is used when an open(2) operation is performed on the link.  A stat(2) on a symbolic link will return the linked-to file; an lstat(2) must be done to obtain information about the link.  The readlink(2) call may be used to read the contents of a symbolic link.  Symbolic links may span filesystems and may refer to directories. 

Given one or two arguments, ln creates a link to an existing file name1. If name2 is given, the link has that name.  Name2 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 name1.

Given more than two arguments, ln makes links to all the named files in the named directory.  The links made will have the same names as the files to which they are linked. 

SEE ALSO

rm(1), cp(1), mv(1), link(2), readlink(2), stat(2), symlink(2)

4th Berkeley Distribution  —  1 August 1985