CODEWITHSUNDEEP
rubysymlink
user1455116
user1455116

Reputation: 2144

How do I create symbolic links using ruby in Windows 7

I need to create a symbolic link of a js file. I tried the below:

x = "C:/Program Files/apache-tomcat-7.0.41/webapps/analytics/js/analyticsController.js"
y = "c:/svn/web/src/main/webapp/analytics/js/analyticsController.js"
exec ("mklink #{x} #{y}")

and also system ("mklink #{x} #{y}")

neither of them created symbolic link. I was able to run commands like system ("echo Hello") #prints hello using ruby script

The mklink does not create the symbolic link. The console did not show any result either.

Upvotes: 1

Views: 1579

Answers (2)

orgads
orgads

Reputation: 696

Ruby 2.3 supports symbolic links on Windows. You can use File.symlink.

Upvotes: 3

Afforess
Afforess

Reputation: 934

The mklink command on Windows (7 and above) requires a parameter for the type of link to make. Symbolic links on windows are the "shortcuts" that normal users can make themselves. What you likely are intending to create is a hard link, or "junction point". The command to create a junction point is:

mklink /J <destination> <source>

So, in ruby, this is:

exec ("mklink /J #{x} #{y}")

Apparently the cmd.exe shell only has access to mklink, so it has to be invoked first.

exec ("cmd.exe /c \"mklink /J #{x} #{y}\"")

One final note (of caution). Making links on Windows requires full administrator access.

Upvotes: 1

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