symlink
also: symbolic link, soft link
A symbolic link (symlink) is a special file that points to another file or directory by storing its path, allowing you to reference the target from a different location without duplicating it.
A symlink is a lightweight reference file created with ln -s that contains the path to another file or directory. Unlike hard links, symlinks can point across filesystems and to directories, making them flexible for creating shortcuts and organizing your filesystem.
When you access a symlink, the system reads the path it contains and follows it to the actual target. For example, ln -s /usr/bin/python3 /usr/local/bin/python creates a symlink at /usr/local/bin/python pointing to /usr/bin/python3—running either path executes the same program.
Symlinks appear with an arrow in ls -l output: python -> /usr/bin/python3. If the target is deleted, the symlink becomes "broken" and won't work. They're commonly used for version management, aliasing commands, and organizing complex directory structures without duplication.