ln(1) - NetBSD Manual Pages

LN(1)                   NetBSD General Commands Manual                   LN(1)


NAME

     ln -- make links


SYNOPSIS

     ln [-fhinsv] source_file [target_file]
     ln [-fhinsv] source_file ... target_dir


DESCRIPTION

     The ln utility creates a new directory entry (linked file) which has the
     same modes as the original file.  It is useful for maintaining multiple
     copies of a file in many places at once without using up storage for the
     ``copies''; instead, a link ``points'' to the original copy.  There are
     two types of links; hard links and symbolic links.  How a link ``points''
     to a file is one of the differences between a hard or symbolic link.

     The options are as follows:

     -f    Unlink any already existing file, permitting the link to occur.

     -h    If the target_file or target_dir is a symbolic link, do not follow
           it.  This is most useful with the -f option, to replace a symlink
           which may point to a directory.

     -i    Cause ln to write a prompt to standard error if the target file
           exists.  If the response from the standard input begins with the
           character `y' or `Y', then unlink the target file so that the link
           may occur.  Otherwise, do not attempt the link.  (The -i option
           overrides any previous -f options.)

     -n    Same as -h, for compatibility with other ln implementations.

     -s    Create a symbolic link.

     -v    Cause ln to be verbose, showing files as they are processed.

     By default ln makes hard links.  A hard link to a file is indistinguish-
     able from the original directory entry; any changes to a file are effec-
     tive independent of the name used to reference the file.  Hard links may
     not normally refer to directories and may not span file systems.

     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 file systems and may refer to directories.

     Given one or two arguments, ln creates a link to an existing file
     source_file.  If target_file is given, the link has that name;
     target_file may also be a directory in which to place the link; otherwise
     it is placed in the current directory.  If only the directory is speci-
     fied, the link will be made to the last component of source_file.

     Given more than two arguments, ln makes links in target_dir to all the
     named source files.  The links made will have the same name as the files
     being linked to.


SEE ALSO

     link(2), lstat(2), readlink(2), stat(2), symlink(2), symlink(7)


STANDARDS

     The ln utility conforms to IEEE Std 1003.2-1992 (``POSIX.2'').

     The -v option is an extension to IEEE Std 1003.2-1992 (``POSIX.2'').


HISTORY

     A ln utility appeared in Version 6 AT&T UNIX.

NetBSD 4.0                     October 29, 2007                     NetBSD 4.0