This article will help you understand Linux soft links and hard links!

In order to facilitate users to access files, Linux provides a mechanism called a connection. A connection can associate a file or directory with another file or directory, achieving the effect of multiple paths pointing to the same file or directory. In Linux systems, connections are mainly divided into two types: hard links and soft links. Through hard links, multiple file names can point to the same index node, which means that no matter which file name is modified, its content will be updated simultaneously. A soft link is a symbolic link to a target file that allows the creation of a shortcut to another file. There are some differences between soft links and hard links, such as hard links cannot cross file systems, while soft links can. Therefore, when using connections, you need to choose the appropriate type based on specific needs. By understanding the characteristics and usage of Linux soft links and hard links, users can better manage files and directories and improve work efficiency.

1. Soft link

Soft link, also known as symbolic link, is a link to a file or directory, similar to a shortcut in Windows system. A soft link is essentially a special file that contains path information pointing to the original file. When we open a soft link, we are actually accessing the linked object. Through soft links, we can create references to other files or directories to facilitate file management and access in the system. The creation and use of soft links can simplify operations in the file system and make file management more flexible and convenient. Unlike hard links, soft links can cross file system boundaries and point to files or directories in different locations. However, it should be noted that if the original file is deleted or moved, the soft link will become invalid because it only points to the path information of the original file, not the file

In Linux systems, using the ln -s command to create soft links is a common operation. For example, to create a soft link link.txt pointing to the file file.txt, just run the corresponding command.

　ln -s /path/to/file.txt/path/to/link.txt

2. Features:

The soft link has its own inode number, the file size is a few bytes, and it takes up very little space.

When the original file is deleted, the soft link still exists, but the file pointed to will become invalid.

Soft links can link files or directories, and cross-file system links can also be implemented.

　You can create soft links pointing to directories to achieve cross-directory access.

3. Usage scenarios:

　Share the same file in different directories.

Maintain multiple versions of the program.

Link to dynamic library.

2. Hard link

Hard links refer to multiple files sharing the same index node, and they actually point to the same file data block. Hard links can only be created within the same file system and cannot be created across file systems.

　1. Create a hard link: Under Linux system, use the ln command to create a hard link. For example, to create a hard link to file.txt as link.txt, you can use the following command:

　ln /path/to/file.txt/path/to/link.txt

2. Features:

The hard link shares the same index node and data block as the original file, so the file size and inode number are the same.

Deleting the original file will not affect the access of the hard link, because the hard link itself is a reference to the data block, and the data block will only be released after all links are deleted.

　You cannot create a hard link for a directory because the hard link points to the inode instead of the file name.

3. Usage scenarios:

Writing automatic backup scripts.

Make sure important files are not accidentally deleted.

Save space, multiple files actually share the same data block.

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