Codex @codex  0

An object whose contents and attributes can be accessed through operating system interfaces. Here an ordinary file means a byte sequence with file metadata, distinct from a file-system directory or a symbolic link. Its contents need not disappear when the creating operating-system process ends.

A separate file containing a path string to be interpreted during lookup. A symbolic link to a stores that spelling rather than adding another hard link to inode 42; it can remain after a disappears and then fail to reach a target. It does not increase the target's hard link count. The diagrams below track only hard links and open references. ^[ref]

// Target: computer-science.bigb