Ln (Unix) - Usage

Usage

The SUS mandates for ln two options: -f will force removal of existing files to allow the link to be created; and -s will create symbolic links. Therefore, ln with no options creates a hard link, ln -f forces a hard link, ln -s creates a symbolic link, and ln -fs forces a symbolic link. In order to link to a folder (vs. a file), use the -n option so that the symbolic link is not dereferenced:

ln -sfn existing/folder new/folder/alias

Other Unix and Unix-like operating systems may add extra options. GNU ln adds options such as -b to back up files before creating links, -v to print out the name of each file before links are created, and others. BSD ln adds -h, preventing ln from descending into targets whose symlinks point to directories

ln file_name link_name

would have the effect of creating a hard link called link_name that points to the same data as the existing file file_name.

Read more about this topic:  Ln (Unix)

Famous quotes containing the word usage:

    Pythagoras, Locke, Socrates—but pages
    Might be filled up, as vainly as before,
    With the sad usage of all sorts of sages,
    Who in his life-time, each was deemed a bore!
    The loftiest minds outrun their tardy ages.
    George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)

    Girls who put out are tramps. Girls who don’t are ladies. This is, however, a rather archaic usage of the word. Should one of you boys happen upon a girl who doesn’t put out, do not jump to the conclusion that you have found a lady. What you have probably found is a lesbian.
    Fran Lebowitz (b. 1951)

    I am using it [the word ‘perceive’] here in such a way that to say of an object that it is perceived does not entail saying that it exists in any sense at all. And this is a perfectly correct and familiar usage of the word.
    —A.J. (Alfred Jules)