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(New page: == Symlinks == There are two ways of making a symlink, either as a relative link or an absolute link. In Fedora, neither method is required. Packagers should use their best judgement when ...) |
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A relative symlink is a symlink which points to a file or directory relative to the position of the symlink. For example, this command would create a relative symlink: | A relative symlink is a symlink which points to a file or directory relative to the position of the symlink. For example, this command would create a relative symlink: | ||
<pre> | <pre> | ||
ln -s ../../ | ln -s ../../%{_bindir}/foo %{buildroot}/bin/foo | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
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* Relative symlinks may break or behave unexpectedly when a part of a filesystem is mounted to a custom location. | * Relative symlinks may break or behave unexpectedly when a part of a filesystem is mounted to a custom location. | ||
* Relative symlinks may break when bind mounting or symlinking directories. | * Relative symlinks may break when bind mounting or symlinking directories. | ||
* Relative symlinks make it more difficult to use rpm system macros. | * Relative symlinks may make it more difficult to use rpm system macros. | ||
=== Absolute Symlinks === | === Absolute Symlinks === | ||
An absolute symlink is a symlink which points to an absolute file or directory path. For example, this command would create an absolute symlink: | An absolute symlink is a symlink which points to an absolute file or directory path. For example, this command would create an absolute symlink: | ||
<pre> | <pre> | ||
ln -s | ln -s %{_bindir}/foo %{buildroot}/bin/foo | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
Revision as of 18:21, 20 January 2009
Symlinks
There are two ways of making a symlink, either as a relative link or an absolute link. In Fedora, neither method is required. Packagers should use their best judgement when deciding which method of symlink creation is appropriate.
Relative Symlinks
A relative symlink is a symlink which points to a file or directory relative to the position of the symlink. For example, this command would create a relative symlink:
ln -s ../../%{_bindir}/foo %{buildroot}/bin/foo
Pros:
- Relative symlinks are better when working with chroots.
Cons:
- Much more complicated to create than absolute symlinks
- Relative symlinks may break or behave unexpectedly when a part of a filesystem is mounted to a custom location.
- Relative symlinks may break when bind mounting or symlinking directories.
- Relative symlinks may make it more difficult to use rpm system macros.
Absolute Symlinks
An absolute symlink is a symlink which points to an absolute file or directory path. For example, this command would create an absolute symlink:
ln -s %{_bindir}/foo %{buildroot}/bin/foo
Pros:
- Much easier to create than relative symlinks.
- Absolute symlinks work properly when bind mounting or symlinking directories.
- Absolute symlinks work well with rpm system macros.
Cons:
- Absolute symlinks may break when used with chroots.