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LINUX · Files & links · 8 min

Point current at a release

Create a relative symbolic link instead of copying a release directory.

Not completed

Your task

Create current as a symbolic link to releases/v1. Reading current/status.txt should use the original release file.

What you’re aiming for

  • readlink current prints releases/v1.
  • current/status.txt contains ready.
  • The release directory remains.

1. Prepare your practice folder

Use a Linux terminal, such as Ubuntu or WSL on Windows. These examples use Linux file permissions. In WSL, create your practice folder in your Linux home directory (~).

Create a new, empty folder for this exercise. If that name already exists, choose another new name. Continue only after you’re inside the new folder.

NEW PRACTICE FOLDER
mkdir opsrung-linux-create-release-link && cd opsrung-linux-create-release-link

Run these setup commands in that folder:

SETUP — RUN ONCE
mkdir -p releases/v1
printf '%s\n' 'ready' > releases/v1/status.txt

2. Try the task

Work toward the goal above. Start by inspecting the files or resources, then use a hint if you need one.

Hint 1

A symbolic link stores a path to another location.

Hint 2

The target is relative to the link’s parent directory.

Hint 3

Use ln -s releases/v1 current.

3. Review your result

Use these commands to look at your result and compare it with the goals. The website does not run or verify them.

REVIEW IN YOUR TERMINAL
ls -ld current
readlink current
cat current/status.txt

What you should see

  • readlink current prints releases/v1.
  • current/status.txt contains ready.
  • The release directory remains.

If your result differs: Compare the actual output with each goal. Keep your work inside this exercise’s folder and use only its named resources.

Compare with one possible solution
ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION
ln -s releases/v1 current

Other approaches are fine if you reach the same goal. Opening this solution does not mark the exercise complete.

Finished this exercise?

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