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This chapter describes commands which create special types of files (and
rmdir
, which removes directories, one special file type).
Although Unix-like operating systems have markedly fewer special file types than others, not everything can be treated only as the undifferentiated byte stream of normal files. For example, when a file is created or removed, the system must record this information, which it does in a directory---a special type of file. Although you can read directories as normal files, if you're curious, in order for the system to do its job it must impose a structure, a certain order, on the bytes of the file. Thus it is a "special" type of file.
Besides directories, other special file types include named pipes (FIFOs), symbolic links, sockets, and so-called special files.
12.1 link
: Make a hard link via the link syscallMake a hard link via the link syscall 12.2 ln
: Make links between filesMake links between files. 12.3 mkdir
: Make directoriesMake directories. 12.4 mkfifo
: Make FIFOs (named pipes)Make FIFOs (named pipes). 12.5 mknod
: Make block or character special filesMake block or character special files. 12.6 rmdir
: Remove empty directoriesRemove empty directories. 12.7 unlink
: Remove files via the unlink syscallRemove files via the unlink syscall