ln(1) [netbsd man page]

LN(1)							    BSD 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 mul-
     tiple 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 char-
	   acter 'y' or 'Y', then unlink the target file so that the link may occur.  Otherwise, do not attempt the link.  (The -i option over-
	   rides any previous -f options.)

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

     -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 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 normally refer to directories and may not span file sys-
     tems.

     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 specified, 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.

BSD
								 October 29, 2007							       BSD

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ln(1)							      General Commands Manual							     ln(1)

Name
       ln - link to a file

Syntax
       ln [ -f ] [ -i ] [ -s ] name1 [name2]
       ln [ -f ] [ -i ] [ -s ] name ... directory

Description
       A  link is a directory entry referring to a file.  A file, together with its size and all its protection information may have several links
       to it.  There are two kinds of links: hard links and symbolic links.

       By default 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 file systems and may not refer to directories.

       Given  one or two arguments, creates a link to an existing file name1.  If name2 is given, the link has that name.  The 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	is
       made to the last component of name1.

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

Options
       -f   Forces existing destination pathnames to be removed before linking without prompting for confirmation.

       -i   Write a prompt to standard output requesting information for each link that would overwrite an existing file.  If  the  response  from
	    standard input is affirmative, and if permissions allow, the link is done. The -i option has this effect even if the standard input is
	    not a terminal.

       -s   Creates a symbolic link.

	    A symbolic link contains the name of the file to which it is linked.  The referenced file is used when an operation  is  performed	on
	    the  link.	 A  on a symbolic link returns the linked-to file.  An must be done to obtain information about the link.  The call may be
	    used to read the contents of a symbolic link.  Symbolic links may span file systems and may refer to directories.

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

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