Symbolic links
  Symbolic links are separate files which contain the path to one of the 
  names of a file of interest. 

  Symbolic links are a lot like Shortcuts in Windows.

  Because path of file of interest is what is recorded, 
  Symbolic links can:
    Link across partitions.

    Link to directories.

    Link to files on other machines.

    Link to non-existant.

    Should use absolute paths to avoid following problems:
      Moving link file to another directory may invalidate link. 

      Moving original file invalidates link.

      Renaming original file invalidates link.

  Original file can be deleted.

  Most shells will detect circular links 
    Or excessively long link chains (link to link to link).

  Access to file affected by directory permissions.