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In Linux you can use the ln command to make links.

$ touch foo
$ ln -s foo foo_link
$ ls -l
lrwxrwxrwx  1 cklein cklein         3 May 29 16:11 foo_link -> foo

I assume that the 'l' in ln stands for "link", but what does the 'n' stand for?

What does ln stand for?

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1 Answer

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All the ln means "link", not just the "l". Just the same as ls meaning "list", cp means "copy" and mv means "move".

They are part of the "two letter commands", for example, just in /bin:

  • cp — CoPy files and directories
  • dc — Desk Calculator
  • dd — (Data Description) convert and copy a file
  • df — Disk Free: report file system disk space usage
  • du — Disk Usage
  • ed — EDitor
  • ln — make LiNks between files
  • ls — LiSt directory contents
  • mv — MoVe (rename) files
  • ps — (Process Status) report a snapshot of the current proceses.
  • rm — ReMove files or directories
  • sh — SHell
  • su — run a command with Substitute User and group ID
  • vi — VIsual editor
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I think that su comes from 'super user' instead – Frederik Deweerdt May 29 at 22:33
6  
Maybe, or just "switch user". – Alberte Romero May 29 at 22:35
16  
Actually, checking in the UNIX PROGRAMMER’S MANUAL, Seventh Edition, Volume 1, January, 1979. It says 'substitute user'. – Frederik Deweerdt May 29 at 22:43
1  
I think your description for su is a bit misleading. su runs a command with a substitute user and group ID. It doesn't change the current user's UID or make the current user a superuser. – Evan Teitelman May 29 at 23:05
3  
The Unix First Edition man pages are available on the Internet. – Gilles May 30 at 0:21
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