= Hard link
A <directory entry> associating a name directly with an existing <file>. In the <inode>-based example, successful `link("a", "b")` adds the second name for <inode> 42 and increases its <hard link> count from 1 to 2. Both <directory entries> have equal status; removing `a` leaves `b` usable. This example assumes both names are in the same <file system>, the destination name is unused, and the operation is permitted. https://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/functions/link.html[The Open Group, POSIX.1-2017, link: adding a directory entry and incrementing the link count]{ref}
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