ln(1)                               CLIX                               ln(1)



  NAME

    ln - Links files

  SYNOPSIS

    ln [-f] [-s] file ... target

  FLAGS

    -s   Creates target as a symbolic link

    -f   Supresses asking of questions if the target doesn't have write
         permission.  Useful for shell scripts.

  DESCRIPTION

    The ln links file ... to target.  The file and target can never be the
    same.  If target is a directory, one or more files are linked to that
    directory.  If target is a file, its contents are destroyed.

    By default, the ln command makes hard links.  A hard link to a file cannot
    be distinguished from the original directory entry; any changes to a file
    are effective independently from the name used to reference the file.
    Hard links cannot span file systems and may not refer to directories.

    The -s flag causes the ln to create symbolic links.  A symbolic link
    contains the name of the file to which it is linked.  The referenced file
    is used when an open() operation is performed on the link.  A stat() on a
    symbolic link will return the file that was linked to; an lstat() must be
    executed to obtain information about the link.  The readlink() call may be
    used to read the contents of a symbolic link.  Symbolic links may span
    file systems and refer to directories.  If a symbolic link is made to a
    file and the file is removed, the link remains and is invalid.

    If the ln command determines that the mode of target forbids writing, it
    displays the mode (see chmod()), prompts for a response, and reads from
    stdin for one line.  If the line begins with y, the link occurs if it is
    permissible.  If not, the command exits.  When the -f flag is used or if
    stdin is not a terminal, no questions are asked and the link is executed.

  EXAMPLES

    1.  The following creates hard links for filea and fileb in the directory
        thisdir:

        ln filea fileb thisdir


    2.  The following creates pp as a symbolic link to tp:




  2/94 - Intergraph Corporation                                              1

  ln(1)                               CLIX                               ln(1)



        ln -s tp pp

        If an ls -l is performed, pp will appear as pp@ -> tp.

  CAUTIONS

    The ln command will not create hard links across file systems.

    Use shell metacharacters carefully.

  DIAGNOSTICS

    The ln command produces the following diagnostic messages.

    ln: file and file are identical
           A link between the two files already exists.

    ln: different file system
           An attempt was made to create a hard link across multiple file
           systems.  When this happens, the ln command fails.

  EXIT VALUES

    The ln command returns the following exit values:

    0   Successful completion.

    2   Other errors.

    3   Insufficient memory.

  RELATED INFORMATION

    Commands:  chmod(1), rm(1), cp(1), mv(1)




















  2                                              Intergraph Corporation - 2/94