ln [-Ffhinsv] source_file ... target_dir
     link source_file target_file

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 multiple
     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 and symbolic link.

     The options are as follows:

     -f    If the target file already exists, then unlink it so that the link
           may occur.  (The -f option overrides any previous -i options.)

     -F    If the target file already exists and is a directory, then remove
           it so that the link may occur.  The -F option should be used with
           either -f or -i options.  If none is specified, -f is implied.  The
           -F option is a no-op unless -s option is specified.

     -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
           character `y' or `Y', then unlink the target file so that the link
           may occur.  Otherwise, do not attempt the link.  (The -i option
           overrides any previous -f options.)

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

     -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 indistinguish-
     able from the original directory entry; any changes to a file are effec-
     tively independent of the name used to reference the file.  Hard links
     may not normally refer to directories and may not span file systems.

     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
     is not recommended.  They are provided solely for compatibility with
     other ln implementations.

     The -F option is FreeBSD extention and should not be used in portable
     scripts.

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 simplified link command conforms to Version 2 of the Single UNIX
     Specification (``SUSv2'').

HISTORY

     An ln command appeared in Version 1 AT&T UNIX.

BSD                            February 14, 2006                           BSD