[LBo] Re: Re: Symlink peculiarities (Anerobe)

[Anerobe]

Brice Hunt wrote:

> Also, symlinks always point to whatever path they were created with.  If
> you use the full path name to the file you are linking to, it doesn't
> matter where you put the symlink on the system, it will always point to
> the same spot.  If you use a relative path to create the symlink, it
> will always point to the location that is relative to where ever you put
> your symlink.  For example, if a user with the username "collin" issued
> the following command:
> 
>     ln -s ~/documents/myfile.odt mylink
> 
> then "mylink" will always point to /home/collin/documents/myfile.odt no
> matter where the link is placed in the file system.  Whereas:
> 
>     ln -s ../documents/myfile.odt mylink
> 
> Will always try to go up one directory from where the link is located,
> find a subdirectory named "documents," and then finally find a file in
> that directory named myfile.odt.  In this case, if you were to move the
> link to some bizarre location in your file system, it would no longer
> point to the right location.  Likewise:
> 
>     ln -s myfile.odt mylink
> 
> Will always try to find a file named myfile.odt in whatever directory in
> which the link is placed.  If you move it to any directory that has no
> "myfile.odt," it will no longer be a usable link.

Please excuse me, I'm a recovering windowholic, and have periodic relapses.

I didn't understand the "relative path" effect. 

On a simplistic level it is as though I sent you the directions I follow to
get from my home to the grocery... (turn right at the stop sign; then right
at the light; and in two miles it will appear on your left), expecting you
to use them from your house.

Thanks for the clarification and insights!