dan writes: > Shouldn't files like egrep and fgrep be symbolic links to grep, and same > for any other program like this?
I wrote: > What's wrong with hard links for this? > If you have hard links, and replace one of them, you still need to > replace the other one, since it still points to the original file. No. If you have hard links and replace one of them, you replace the original file. > If you have soft links and replace the real file, the soft link points to > the correct file immediately. The only reason exactly one of egrep, fgrep or grep would be replaced is if the maintainer split it out as a seperate binary. The maintainer would arrange for the appropriate link to be removed before the binary was installed. No problem. > In addition, hard links cannot exist across file systems, which means > that if you used them, you would have to check if both links are on the > same file system, and otherways make a soft link anyway. This would > introduce the need for different maintenance routines depending on the > physical layout of directories on file systems, which is Definitely Not > What You Want. Egrep, fgrep, and grep are all in the same directory. In this case hard links are exactly what you want. -- John Hasler This posting is in the public domain. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Do with it what you will. Dancing Horse Hill Make money from it if you can; I don't mind. Elmwood, Wisconsin Do not send email advertisements to this address.
