Linux readlink command
The Linux readlink command is used to print out the target of a symbolic link. By running this command, you can quickly determine the path that a symbolic link is pointing to. This can be especially useful when you need to troubleshoot or understand the structure of your file system. The readlink command can also be used with options to manipulate the output format and display additional information. Overall, mastering the readlink command can help improve your efficiency and productivity when working with symbolic links in Linux environments.
readlink Syntax:
readlink [option] [file]Options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -f, —canonicalize | Canonicalize the given filename by following every symlink in every component of the given name recursively |
Parameters:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| file | The name of the file whose link target will be printed |
readlink Usage:
Show the Absolute Path of a Symbolic Link
readlink -f mylinkThis command will display the absolute path of the symbolic link named “mylink”.
Show the Target of a Symbolic Link
readlink mylinkThis command will show the target file or directory of the symbolic link named “mylink”.
Resolve Multiple Levels of Symbolic Links
readlink -e mylinkBy using the -e option, this command resolves multiple levels of symbolic links starting from the given symbolic link named “mylink”.
Display the Canonicalized Path of a File
readlink -m mylinkWhen using the -m option, this command will display the canonicalized path of the file or directory named “mylink”, which resolves any symbolic links in the path.
How do I use readlink in Linux?
To use the readlink command in Linux, execute the following command:
readlink /path/to/symlinkWhat is the purpose of readlink in Linux?
The readlink command in Linux is used to print the resolved symbolic links or canonical file names.
How can I show the canonicalized path of a file using readlink in Linux?
To display the canonicalized path of a file with readlink in Linux, use the following command:
readlink -f /path/to/fileHow do I display all links in a symbolic link chain using readlink in Linux?
To show all links in a symbolic link chain with readlink in Linux, you can use the -e option like this:
readlink -e /path/to/symlinkHow can I suppress error messages when using readlink in Linux?
To suppress error messages when using readlink in Linux, you can use the -q or --quiet option like this:
readlink -q /path/to/symlinkHow do I display just the target if the link points to a directory with readlink in Linux?
To only display the target if the link points to a directory with readlink in Linux, you can use the -m or --canonicalize-missing option like this:
readlink -m /path/to/symlinkHow can I have readlink follow all symbolic links and print the final target in Linux?
To have readlink follow all symbolic links and print the final target in Linux, you can use the -e or --canonicalize option like this:
readlink -e /path/to/symlinkApplications of the readlink command
- Resolve symbolic links
- Print the resolved path of a symbolic link
- Display the final target of a symbolic link