UNIX in a Nutshell: System V Edition

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UNIX Commands
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ln

ln [options] file1 file2
ln [options] files directory

Create pseudonyms (links) for files, allowing them to be accessed by different names. In the first form, link file1 to file2, where file2 is usually a new filename. If file2 is an existing file, it is overwritten; if file2 is an existing directory, a link named file1 is created in that directory. In the second form, create links in directory, each link having the same name as the file specified.

Options

-f

Force the link to occur (don't prompt for overwrite permission).

-n

Do not overwrite existing files.

-s

Create a symbolic link. This lets you link across file systems and also see the name of the link when you run ls -l (otherwise there's no way to know the name that a file is linked to).


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