What is a 'Symbolic Link' in Linux?

A symbolic link, often referred to as a symlink, serves as a reference or pointer to another file or directory in the filesystem. When you create a symbolic link, you are essentially creating a shortcut that allows access to the target file or directory without duplicating its data. This feature is particularly useful for organizing files, allowing easier navigation, or creating references to files that may reside in different parts of the filesystem.

For instance, if you have a configuration file that an application needs to access regularly, instead of relocating that file, you can create a symbolic link in the application's directory pointing to the original configuration file. This not only preserves the original file's location but also simplifies access for the application.

The concept of creating a symbolic link is advantageous because it saves disk space, makes it easier to manage files, and can be used across different filesystems, unlike hard links, which are limited to the same filesystem. This ability to act as a shortcut is what fundamentally distinguishes symbolic links in Linux.