how to check if a path is actual or symbolic link

Posted by hits_lucky on Stack Overflow See other posts from Stack Overflow or by hits_lucky
Published on 2010-06-13T16:07:14Z Indexed on 2010/06/13 16:12 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 197

Filed under:

unix

|

symbolic-link

Hi,

I am writing my own shell program. I am currently implementing the cd command using chdir. I want to implement the cd with the below options : -P Do not follow symbolic links -L Follow symbolic links (default)

My query is that , when a given path is entered on the shell how to figure out if the path is a symbolic link or an absolute path progamatically?

Thanks

© Stack Overflow or respective owner

Related posts about unix

polkit: disable all users except those in group wheel?

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
Is it possible to do the following using 1 polkit .pkla file? Disable all users except those in the wheel group from using polkit. The users in the wheel group will need to provide the root password when using polkit. /etc/polkit-1/localauthority/50-local.d/wheel-only.pkla [disable all users… >>> More
How to find other end of unix socket connection?

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I have a process (dbus-daemon) which has many open connection over UNIX sockets. One of these connections is fd #36: =$ ps uw -p 23284 USER PID %CPU %MEM VSZ RSS TTY STAT START TIME COMMAND depesz 23284 0.0 0.0 24680 1772 ? Ss 15:25 0:00 /bin/dbus-daemon --fork… >>> More
Meaning of directories on Unix and Unix like systems

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I've been using Linux for a couple of years now but I still haven't figured out what the origin or meaning of some the directory names are on Unix and Unix like systems. E.g. what does etc stand for or var? Where does the opt name come from? And while we're on the topic anyway. Can someone give a… >>> More
Easy understanding of UNIX and UNIX shell scripting!!

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Hi All, I am beginner to UNIX,UNIX Shell Scripting. Can you please guide me through any excellent sites for unix(which are easy to understand),some study materials(tutorials),video tutorials. Please help!! Thanks! >>> More
Is Mac OS X a licensed Unix or Unix-like clone that conforms to Unix specification?

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
Is Mac OS X developed on a licensed Unix or is it a Unix-like clone that, unlike Linux, conforms to Unix specification well enough to be registered as a Unix OS. Not until Leopard, Mac OS X did not gain the Unix certification. But in Leopard, Terminal still print: GNU bash, version 3.2.48(1)-release… >>> More

Related posts about symbolic-link

How can I verify a symbolic link exists in CentOS

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
Normally, ls -la would give this to me but I guess CentOS is different. I need to verify that a symbolic link exists. >>> More
Could I use directory junctions (symbolic link) to share music between 2 users in Windows 7

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I want to have 2 users be able to use the same itunes library and be able to sync an ipod which ever user is logged in. I tried making both the My Music folders point to the same folder, but that didn't work. One itunes would not store its library info in that folder. I was wondering if I could… >>> More
Symbolic Link in Tomcat 5 is not working after setting allowLinking="true"

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I created a symbolic link to a .htm file. ln -sf /u105/app/ptelrep/reports/kfx/generated/KFX026_Wholesale_1.htm /u105/app/ptelrep/reports/kfx/generated/KFX026_Wholesale.htm The link works. I have the configuration file, reports.xml: /u355/app/ptelrep/tomcat50-jwsdp/conf/Catalina/localhost/reports… >>> More
Check if a file is real or a symbolic link

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Is there a way to tell using C# if a file is real or a symbolic link? I've dug through the MSDN W32 docs (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa364232(VS.85).aspx), and can't find anything for checking this. I'm using CreateSymbolicLink from here, and it's working fine. >>> More
Delete directory by referencing symbolic link

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
To set up the question, imagine this scenario: mkdir ~/temp cd ~/ ln -s temp temporary rm -rf temporary, rm -f temporary, and rm temporary each will remove the symbolic link but leave the directory ~/temp/. I have a script where the name of the symbolic link is easily derived but the… >>> More