softlinks

Filesystem pointer files

Softlinks are filesystem references that point to another file or directory by its path rather than its actual location on disk.

Unlike hardlinks, softlinks can span across different drives and can point to directories.

If the target is moved or deleted, the softlink breaks—it becomes a dangling reference pointing nowhere.

Also called symbolic links or symlinks: I created a softlink to the config file so both applications could access it.

filesystem

symlink

Filesystem path redirect

shortcutQuicker alternative path
aliasAdopted false name
pointerReference to memory location

reference · path · target · directory · hardlink · mount · junction · redirect · indirection · dereference

programming

pointer

Reference to memory location

referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
indirectionRoundabout method or approach
dynamicActive and changing

memory · dereference · addressing · variables · data structures · allocation · runtime · garbage collection · APIs · libraries

hypertext

cross-reference

Notation pointing elsewhere

wikiUser-editable web pages
anchorSecures ships to seabed
hyperlinkClickable reference to another page

backlink · wikilink · bidirectional · interlink · node · navigation · webpage · URL · markup · HTML

networking

interconnection

Mutual joining of parts

nodeConnection point in networks
topologyStudy of spatial arrangement
meshInterlocking open weave

protocol · routing · gateway · hub · packet · transmission · infrastructure · bandwidth · dataflow · connectivity

Family

soft, link, soften, softly, softness, softer, softest, links, linked

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G