Linux in a Nutshell, Third Edition

Name

ln

Synopsis

ln [options] sourcename [destname]

ln [options] sourcenames destdirectory

Description

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

Options

-b, --backup

Back up files before removing the originals.

-d, -F, --directory

Allow hard links to directories. Available to privileged users.

-f, --force

Force the link (don’t prompt for overwrite permission).

--help

Print a help message and then exit.

-i, --interactive

Prompt for permission before removing files.

-n, --no-dereference

Replace symbolic links to directories instead of dereferencing them. --force is useful with this option.

-s, --symbolic

Create a symbolic link. This lets you link across filesystems 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).

-S suffix, --suffix suffix

Append suffix to files when making backups, instead of the default ~.

-v, --verbose

Verbose mode.

--version

Print version information and then exit.

-V, --version-control value

Control the types of backups made. The acceptable values for version-control are: ...