Symbolic link

In computing, a symbolic link (also symlink or soft link) is a file whose purpose is to point to a file or directory (called the "target") by specifying a path thereto.^[1]

Symbolic links are supported by POSIX and by most Unix-like operating systems, such as FreeBSD, Linux, and macOS. Support also exists in Windows 10 and 11.^[2] CTSS on IBM 7090 had files linked by name in 1963.^[3]^[4]^[5] By 1978 minicomputer operating systems from DEC, and in Data General's RDOS included symbolic links.

^ Pathname resolution, POSIX.
^ "Windows mklink Command".
^ Walden, David; Van Vleck, Tom, eds. (2011). "Compatible Time-Sharing System (1961-1973): Fiftieth Anniversary Commemorative Overview" (PDF). IEEE Computer Society. Retrieved February 20, 2022. As CTSS developed, we provided ways for users to share their files on disk, through "common files" and "linking,"
^ Crisman, Patricia A., ed. (December 31, 1969). "The Compatible Time-Sharing System, A Programmer's Guide" (PDF). The M.I.T Computation Center. Retrieved March 10, 2022. U.F.D. entries that point to other U.F.D. entries instead of to the file itself
^ Corbato, F. J.; Daggett, M. M.; Daley, R. C.; Creasy, R. J.; Hellwig, J. D.; Orenstein, R. H.; Korn, L. K. (1963). "The Compatible Time-Sharing System A Programmer's Guide" (PDF). MIT. Retrieved November 29, 2022. Link: The format is similar to Copy. The specified file is not copied

[1] Pathname resolution, POSIX.

[windows-support-2] "Windows mklink Command".

[50th-3] Walden, David; Van Vleck, Tom, eds. (2011). "Compatible Time-Sharing System (1961-1973): Fiftieth Anniversary Commemorative Overview" (PDF). IEEE Computer Society. Retrieved February 20, 2022. As CTSS developed, we provided ways for users to share their files on disk, through "common files" and "linking,"

[ctsspg69-4] Crisman, Patricia A., ed. (December 31, 1969). "The Compatible Time-Sharing System, A Programmer's Guide" (PDF). The M.I.T Computation Center. Retrieved March 10, 2022. U.F.D. entries that point to other U.F.D. entries instead of to the file itself

[ctsspg63-5] Corbato, F. J.; Daggett, M. M.; Daley, R. C.; Creasy, R. J.; Hellwig, J. D.; Orenstein, R. H.; Korn, L. K. (1963). "The Compatible Time-Sharing System A Programmer's Guide" (PDF). MIT. Retrieved November 29, 2022. Link: The format is similar to Copy. The specified file is not copied

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