Symbolic links (symlinks) are special files that act as shortcuts or references to other files or directories. Unlike regular shortcuts, symlinks are transparent to most applications - when you access a symlink, the system automatically redirects you to the target location. They work at the file system level and are supported by Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Source is the original file or directory that actually exists on your system. This is where your data is physically stored. Target is where you want to create the symbolic link - this is the new path that will point to your source. Think of it like creating a signpost (target) that points to a destination (source).
Symlinks are incredibly useful for organizing files, creating shortcuts to deeply nested directories, linking configuration files, managing different versions of software, and creating unified access points to distributed content. They're essential for developers, system administrators, and power users who need flexible file system organization.
Hard Links: Direct references to file data (same file system only). Junction Points: Windows-specific directory links. Shortcuts: Application-level references (not transparent to all programs). Bind Mounts: Linux/Unix mounting technique. Each has specific use cases, but symlinks offer the best balance of compatibility and functionality across platforms.
