From unknown Wed Jun 18 00:18:43 2025 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: MIME-tools 5.509 (Entity 5.509) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 From: bug#7634 <7634@debbugs.gnu.org> To: bug#7634 <7634@debbugs.gnu.org> Subject: Status: anomaly ln command Reply-To: bug#7634 <7634@debbugs.gnu.org> Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:18:43 +0000 retitle 7634 anomaly ln command reassign 7634 coreutils submitter 7634 Baggia Nate severity 7634 normal tag 7634 notabug thanks From debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Mon Dec 13 08:59:29 2010 Received: (at submit) by debbugs.gnu.org; 13 Dec 2010 13:59:29 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1] helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1PS8w5-0005IL-AY for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 08:59:29 -0500 Received: from eggs.gnu.org ([140.186.70.92]) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1PS8t4-0005Do-TS for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 08:56:23 -0500 Received: from Debian-exim by eggs.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1PS8z2-00012v-VV for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:02:33 -0500 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.3.1 (2010-03-16) on eggs.gnu.org X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-2.6 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_00,FREEMAIL_FROM, HTML_MESSAGE,RCVD_IN_DNSWL_LOW,T_DKIM_INVALID,T_TO_NO_BRKTS_FREEMAIL autolearn=unavailable version=3.3.1 Received: from lists.gnu.org ([199.232.76.165]:34458) by eggs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1PS8z2-00012q-T4 for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:02:32 -0500 Received: from [140.186.70.92] (port=43057 helo=eggs.gnu.org) by lists.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.43) id 1PS8z2-0006fK-2r for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:02:32 -0500 Received: from Debian-exim by eggs.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1PS8z0-00012Q-SF for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:02:31 -0500 Received: from mail-qy0-f176.google.com ([209.85.216.176]:36154) by eggs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1PS8z0-00012C-Po for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:02:30 -0500 Received: by qyk10 with SMTP id 10so5720709qyk.0 for ; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 06:02:29 -0800 (PST) DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=gmail.com; s=gamma; h=domainkey-signature:mime-version:received:received:date:message-id :subject:from:to:content-type; bh=/EVk5EWiAMx8xW6Cp0aGBKuQ3wg425oFUBzmeE2JzXc=; b=B7SCkGNLEVOqmVL+iEjsO8DrWD5zvCxhxrehtxizAA2wDIRctTlQhdGbwJsDm0/OVv myqSPMnlvS4fQcylxaZJw/g1SB5jbbr7F1uUj1/bLgeTQeS4sMgJhmzxsdYdVWwJHDN8 rnYr2Wru03DQRBpFgj65qXUst6VCOC6gl66oE= DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; c=nofws; d=gmail.com; s=gamma; h=mime-version:date:message-id:subject:from:to:content-type; b=VRR2DizOZlwxTZanrPD6Z97YPuqaDYKOmMzXcjcCVMoYAfjrKa4h9wLbP3lDl5hgPp aOm0VFw1hUj/SJa7ODXkQS4I/E3oKPlDtfgGxkHVEpolQ/3udo/u9M26+IUATCLcgxEQ ljt7BSmp0270xXhb5gbFYuHOdH6ox5NI5TZTY= MIME-Version: 1.0 Received: by 10.224.188.140 with SMTP id da12mr4051474qab.130.1292248949618; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 06:02:29 -0800 (PST) Received: by 10.220.100.3 with HTTP; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 06:02:29 -0800 (PST) Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:02:29 +0100 Message-ID: Subject: anomaly ln command From: Baggia Nate To: bug-coreutils@gnu.org Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=20cf303640bb9a76ca04974b273c X-detected-operating-system: by eggs.gnu.org: GNU/Linux 2.6 (newer, 2) X-detected-operating-system: by eggs.gnu.org: GNU/Linux 2.6 (newer, 2) X-Spam-Score: -5.9 (-----) X-Debbugs-Envelope-To: submit X-Mailman-Approved-At: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 08:59:27 -0500 X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.11 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: -5.9 (-----) --20cf303640bb9a76ca04974b273c Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hello, work with Fedora (version 14) and I noticed that the command: *ln -fs /path/from /path/to* does not actually remove the target path. In my case the */path/to* correspond to another symbolic link (*/path/other* ). Why not work even if given the option *-f* (*--force*) flag? Ascolta Trascrizione fonetica --20cf303640bb9a76ca04974b273c Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable = Hello,
work with Fedora (version 14) = and I noticed that the command:

ln -fs /path/from /path/to

does not actually remove the target = path.
In my case the /path/to correspond to another symbolic link (= /path/other).
Why not work = even if given the option -f (--force) flag?
Ascolta
Trascrizione fonetica

--20cf303640bb9a76ca04974b273c-- From debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Mon Dec 13 10:19:35 2010 Received: (at 7634) by debbugs.gnu.org; 13 Dec 2010 15:19:35 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1] helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1PSABa-0007AT-6J for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:19:34 -0500 Received: from mail1.slb.deg.dub.stisp.net ([84.203.253.98]) by debbugs.gnu.org with smtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1PSABX-0007AH-WB for 7634@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:19:32 -0500 Received: (qmail 35425 invoked from network); 13 Dec 2010 15:25:41 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO ?192.168.2.25?) (84.203.137.218) by mail1.slb.deg.dub.stisp.net with SMTP; 13 Dec 2010 15:25:41 -0000 Message-ID: <4D063A4F.6020001@draigBrady.com> Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:22:55 +0000 From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?P=E1draig_Brady?= User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.9.1.8) Gecko/20100227 Thunderbird/3.0.3 MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Baggia Nate Subject: Re: bug#7634: anomaly ln command References: In-Reply-To: X-Enigmail-Version: 1.0.1 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Spam-Score: -2.7 (--) X-Debbugs-Envelope-To: 7634 Cc: 7634@debbugs.gnu.org X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.11 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: -2.7 (--) On 13/12/10 14:02, Baggia Nate wrote: > Hello, > work with Fedora (version 14) and I noticed that the command: > > *ln -fs /path/from /path/to* > > does not actually remove the target path. > In my case the */path/to* correspond to another symbolic link (*/path/other* > ). > Why not work even if given the option *-f* (*--force*) flag? > Ascolta > Trascrizione fonetica > Do you also need the -n option? My default `ln` usage is -nfs cheers, Pádraig. From debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Mon Dec 13 11:04:29 2010 Received: (at control) by debbugs.gnu.org; 13 Dec 2010 16:04:29 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1] helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1PSAt2-0008CY-Rm for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:04:29 -0500 Received: from mx.meyering.net ([82.230.74.64]) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1PSAt0-0008CN-Pr for control@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:04:27 -0500 Received: by rho.meyering.net (Acme Bit-Twister, from userid 1000) id A1C816010D; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:10:37 +0100 (CET) From: Jim Meyering To: control@debbugs.gnu.org Subject: close non-bugs Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:10:37 +0100 Message-ID: <87r5dlbqma.fsf@meyering.net> Lines: 8 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain X-Spam-Score: -5.7 (-----) X-Debbugs-Envelope-To: control X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.11 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: -5.7 (-----) tags 7634 notabug close 7634 tags 7624 notabug close 7624 tags 7625 notabug close 7625 thanks From debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Mon Dec 13 11:07:00 2010 Received: (at 7634-done) by debbugs.gnu.org; 13 Dec 2010 16:07:00 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1] helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1PSAvH-0008G1-FX for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:07:00 -0500 Received: from mail1.slb.deg.dub.stisp.net ([84.203.253.98]) by debbugs.gnu.org with smtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1PSAvE-0008Fo-H9 for 7634-done@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:06:45 -0500 Received: (qmail 45921 invoked from network); 13 Dec 2010 16:12:54 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO ?192.168.2.25?) (84.203.137.218) by mail1.slb.deg.dub.stisp.net with SMTP; 13 Dec 2010 16:12:54 -0000 Message-ID: <4D064560.4070106@draigBrady.com> Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:10:08 +0000 From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?P=E1draig_Brady?= User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.9.1.8) Gecko/20100227 Thunderbird/3.0.3 MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Baggia Nate Subject: Re: bug#7634: anomaly ln command References: <4D063A4F.6020001@draigBrady.com> In-Reply-To: <4D063A4F.6020001@draigBrady.com> X-Enigmail-Version: 1.0.1 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Spam-Score: -2.7 (--) X-Debbugs-Envelope-To: 7634-done Cc: 7634-done@debbugs.gnu.org X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.11 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: -2.7 (--) On 13/12/10 15:22, Pádraig Brady wrote: > On 13/12/10 14:02, Baggia Nate wrote: > Do you also need the -n option? > My default `ln` usage is -nfs OP confirms -n addresses his issue. closing... From debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Mon Dec 13 12:00:15 2010 Received: (at 7634-done) by debbugs.gnu.org; 13 Dec 2010 17:00:15 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1] helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1PSBl1-0001hX-6L for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:00:15 -0500 Received: from joseki.proulx.com ([216.17.153.58]) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1PSBkz-0001hL-DM for 7634-done@debbugs.gnu.org; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:00:14 -0500 Received: from hysteria.proulx.com (hysteria.proulx.com [192.168.230.119]) by joseki.proulx.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id DDB7421312; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:06:23 -0700 (MST) Received: by hysteria.proulx.com (Postfix, from userid 1000) id D60D92DD83; Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:06:23 -0700 (MST) Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:06:23 -0700 From: Bob Proulx To: Baggia Nate Subject: Re: bug#7634: anomaly ln command Message-ID: <20101213170623.GA18921@hysteria.proulx.com> References: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline In-Reply-To: User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.20 (2009-06-14) X-Spam-Score: -2.4 (--) X-Debbugs-Envelope-To: 7634-done Cc: 7634-done@debbugs.gnu.org X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.11 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: -2.4 (--) Baggia Nate wrote: > work with Fedora (version 14) and I noticed that the command: > > *ln -fs /path/from /path/to* > > does not actually remove the target path. That is intentional behavior. This is because that is what BSD does and BSD created the ln command. The GNU ln follows the BSD ln behavior. This gets discussed every so often and the archives will have a much longer discussion of it. > In my case the */path/to* correspond to another symbolic link > (*/path/other* ). Why not work even if given the option *-f* > (*--force*) flag? If you are used to the System V behavior then this will be a difference. SysV ln always behaves as if the -n option has been given. The only portable way to deal with differences between SysV and BSD behaviors is to remove the target symlink before creating the new one. rm -f /path/to ln -sf /path/from /path/to The BSD (and therefore GNU) expectation would be to use the -n option. But SysV does not support the -n option. But if you are not concerned about portability to SysV then that is the easiest way. ln -sfn /path/from /path/to Since this is intentional behavior I am closing the bug. But feel free to continue the discussion if more information, clarification or discussion is needed. Bob From unknown Wed Jun 18 00:18:43 2025 Received: (at fakecontrol) by fakecontrolmessage; To: internal_control@debbugs.gnu.org From: Debbugs Internal Request Subject: Internal Control Message-Id: bug archived. Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:24:04 +0000 User-Agent: Fakemail v42.6.9 # This is a fake control message. # # The action: # bug archived. thanks # This fakemail brought to you by your local debbugs # administrator