Creating a symbolic link to a configuration file | LinuC Level 1 101 Exam original practice question

1.02.3Basic

Create current.conf pointing to releases/v2/app.conf.

Store the target path in a symbolic link.

Which command is appropriate?

Hint 1: Focus on the requirement

Look for the option that stores the target pathname instead of sharing the target inode.

Hint 2: Key terms

Review the short link and path-resolution definitions before comparing the choices.

ln -s: Creates a symbolic link that stores a target pathname.
Symbolic link: An independent filesystem entry that refers to another pathname.
Target string: The pathname stored inside a symbolic link.
readlink: Displays the target string stored by a symbolic link.

Detailed explanation

Incorrectln releases/v2/app.conf current.conf

Incorrect. Without -s, ln creates a hard link.

Correctln -s releases/v2/app.conf current.conf

Correct. ln -s releases/v2/app.conf current.conf creates the symbolic link.

Incorrectcp -a releases/v2/app.conf current.conf

Incorrect. cp -a copies the file rather than storing a link target.

Incorrectreadlink releases/v2/app.conf current.conf

Incorrect. readlink reads an existing link and does not create one.

Try it yourself

An example you can run in a temporary verification environment.

tmp=$(mktemp -d); mkdir -p "$tmp/releases/v2"; touch "$tmp/releases/v2/app.conf"; (cd "$tmp" && ln -s releases/v2/app.conf current.conf && readlink current.conf); rm -rf "$tmp"

Expected result

releases/v2/app.conf

Key points

-s means symbolic
The link stores the target
readlink can inspect it

Notes

Environment: Linux / GNU coreutils 9.x / 一時ディレクトリ
Use disposable files and directories for link experiments.
Link behavior can differ for special filesystem objects and cross-filesystem operations.

Foundation review

Place the operation

A symbolic link can cross filesystem boundaries and can become dangling when its target is absent.

Check the side effect

Read the link with readlink and test the link itself rather than following it.

Question IDKL-101-411

EnvironmentLinux / GNU coreutils 9.x / 一時ディレクトリ

Last technical review2026-08-13

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