# ln Command in Linux: Hard Links vs. Symlinks

DevFeed: [ln Command in Linux: Hard Links vs. Symlinks](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/ln-command-in-linux-hard-links-vs-symlinks-20876.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://linuxblog.io/ln-command-in-linux-hard-links-vs-symlinks/>)

Author: Hayden James

Published: 2026-07-17T14:57:25Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Hayden James](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/hayden-james.md>)

Topics: [Linux](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/linux.md>), [Filesystems](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/filesystems.md>)

Tags: [blog](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/blog.md>), [filesystem](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/filesystem.md>), [guide](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/guide.md>), [how-to](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/how-to.md>), [linux](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/linux.md>), [pitfalls](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/pitfalls.md>), [sysadmins](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/sysadmins.md>)

## AI overview

This practical Linux guide explains how hard links and symbolic links use the ln command but behave differently. It describes inodes, hard-link persistence after deleting an original name, and restrictions such as same-filesystem requirements and limits on linking directories.

## Source excerpt

Hard links and soft links in Linux both use the ln command but behave very differently. This practical guide explains exactly how each works, when to use which, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that catch even experienced sysadmins. Continue reading...