symlink

A symlink is a special file-system entry that stores the path of a target file or directory. When a program opens it, the operating system follows the path to the target, so the same original can be used from several locations without copying it. Unix-like systems such as Linux and macOS support symlinks, as does Windows.

Unlike a hard link, which refers directly to the same underlying data, a symlink refers only to a path, so it breaks if the target is deleted or moved. Symlinks are commonly used to keep configuration or shared tool files in one place while several programs use them.

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