jgd@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (John G Dobnick) (08/12/90)
Stupid question time (I haven't asked one of these for a while, so
I'm due. :-) ]
Re: 4.3 "ln". The manpage says ln(1) can be called with only one name.
What purpose does this serve? Given that ln(1) is
supposed to create "links", I would think you need a
minimum of *two* filenames, no? What am I missing
here?
Manpage extract:
LN(1) UNIX Programmer's Manual LN(1)
NAME
ln - make links
SYNOPSIS
ln [ -s ] sourcename [ targetname ]
ln [ -s ] sourcename1 sourcename2 [ sourcename3 ... ] targetdirectory
DESCRIPTION
Given one or two arguments, ln creates a link to an existing
file sourcename. If targetname is given, the link has that
name; targetname may also be a directory in which to place
the link; otherwise it is placed in the current directory.
If only the directory is specified, the link will be made to
the last component of sourcename.
The first line under DESCRIPTION can be read as "Given one argument, _ln_
creates a link to an existing file _sourcename_."
Um, excuse me, but *what* link to _sourcename_????? Seems to me you need
a minimum of two (2) arguments here to do anything useful.
Am I correct in assuming that this is just a case of unclear writing?
Or am I missing something obvious? (And if so, what?)
Nitpickingly,
--
John G Dobnick (JGD2)
Computing Services Division @ University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
INTERNET: jgd@csd4.csd.uwm.edu ATTnet: (414) 229-5727
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"Knowing how things work is the basis for appreciation,
and is thus a source of civilized delight." -- William Safiregs26@prism.gatech.EDU (Glenn R. Stone) (08/12/90)
In <5698@uwm.edu> jgd@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (John G Dobnick) writes: >Stupid question time (I haven't asked one of these for a while, so >I'm due. :-) ] It ain't a stupid question if you don't know the answer. -- old User Assistants' motto. (they don't use it any more; they've gone way downhill :( ) >Re: 4.3 "ln". The manpage says ln(1) can be called with only one name. > What purpose does this serve? Given that ln(1) is > supposed to create "links", I would think you need a > minimum of *two* filenames, no? What am I missing > here? If I do plab:/usr/rbin> ln -s /bin/diff I've created a symlink in the current directory to /bin/diff, with the name "diff". (real useful for your rsh freshcritters to be able to check their programs against published answers :) In general, ln(1) with a single argument makes a link to the specified file with a name the same as the last element of the given file path, the new link being in the current working directory. So, after the above example, plab:usr/rbin> ls -l diff lrwx------ 1 gs26 9 Aug 12 12:14 diff -> /bin/diff Methinks TFM could benefit from an example. Of course, then we UN*X gurus couldn't benefit from job security.... :) :) :) p.s. no, vernard, that's not YOUR plab I was playing on... :) -- Glenn R. Stone gs26@prism.gatech.edu
gwyn@smoke.BRL.MIL (Doug Gwyn) (08/13/90)
In article <5698@uwm.edu> jgd@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (John G Dobnick) writes:
- ln [ -s ] sourcename [ targetname ]
- Given one or two arguments, ln creates a link to an existing
- file sourcename. If targetname is given, the link has that
- name; targetname may also be a directory in which to place
- the link; otherwise it is placed in the current directory.
-Um, excuse me, but *what* link to _sourcename_????? Seems to me you need
-a minimum of two (2) arguments here to do anything useful.
The description TELLS you what happens.
It is extremely easy to try this out and empirically determine what happens.rogerk@mips.COM (Roger B.A. Klorese) (08/14/90)
In article <5698@uwm.edu> jgd@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (John G Dobnick) writes: >Stupid question time (I haven't asked one of these for a while, so >I'm due. :-) ] > > >Re: 4.3 "ln". The manpage says ln(1) can be called with only one name. > What purpose does this serve? Given that ln(1) is > supposed to create "links", I would think you need a > minimum of *two* filenames, no? What am I missing > here? ln -s /some/other/dir/foo creates a link called "foo" in the current directory. -- ROGER B.A. KLORESE MIPS Computer Systems, Inc. phone: +1 408 720-2939 MS 4-02 950 DeGuigne Dr. Sunnyvale, CA 94086 voicemail: +1 408 524-7421 rogerk@mips.COM {ames,decwrl,pyramid}!mips!rogerk "I'm the NLA" "If the world were a logical place, men would ride sidesaddle." -Rita Mae Brown