link(1)link(1)NAME
link, unlink - Creates an additional directory entry for an existing
file
SYNOPSISlink file1 file2
unlink file
STANDARDS
Interfaces documented on this reference page conform to industry stan‐
dards as follows:
link: XCU5.0
unlink: XCU5.0
Refer to the standards(5) reference page for more information about
industry standards and associated tags.
DESCRIPTION
The link command performs the link() system call to create an addi‐
tional directory entry for an existing file, file1. In effect, the
underlying file then has two names, file1 and file2 (either of these
arguments can be a pathname). The old and new entries share equal
access rights to the underlying file.
The unlink command performs the unlink() system call to remove a link
to file created by link. The unlink command removes the directory entry
specified by the file parameter and, if the entry is a hard link,
decrements the link count of the file referenced by the link.
You should be familiar with the link() and unlink() system calls before
you use these commands.
The link and unlink commands do not issue error messages when the asso‐
ciated system call is unsuccessful.
NOTES
The link and unlink commands cannot be used to link and unlink directo‐
ries.
EXIT STATUS
The link and unlink commands both exit with the following: The link()
or unlink() system call succeeded. Too few or too many arguments spec‐
ified. The link() or unlink() system call failed.
SEE ALSO
Commands: fsck(8), ln(1)
Functions: link(2), unlink(2)link(1)