Thread: Distinguish symbolic link from file (stat function)

Hi, I'm new to the forum. Sorry fo my bad English
I've a problem to distinguish symbolic link from file, I created a link ("mylink") to a file, but when I run the following code,
1. On Debian (gcc-4.3), I get that it is a regular file
2. On Windows (Dev-C++), I get this error: "undefined reference to S_ISLNK"

Code:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <sys/stat.h>
#include <sys/types.h>

struct stat file;
int status;
    
main() {
     status = stat("/home/mario/Desktop/mylink", &file);
     if (S_ISLNK(file.st_mode))
	  printf("Is a link\n");
     else if (S_ISREG(file.st_mode))
	  printf("Is a file\n");
}

How can I fix the problem?
Thanks!

Probably because Windows doesn't support symbolic links? And your English is fine.

Originally Posted by rags_to_riches

Probably because Windows doesn't support symbolic links? And your English is fine.

Why on Debian it is not identified as a link?

Because stat() returns information about the file that the link refers to.
To get information about the symbolic link itself, use the lstat() call.

Is there a way to fix the problem on Windows?

Originally Posted by mario++

Is there a way to fix the problem on Windows?

Yes, sure. In windows, remove all the code and make it:

Code:

printf("Is a file\n");

As stated before, Windows doesn't support symbolic links. So files are never symbolic links.

Originally Posted by cpjust

I'm sure he's referring to Windows Shortcuts as 'symbolic links' though.

Yes, I'm refferring to Windows Shortcut

Originally Posted by EVOEx

As stated before, Windows doesn't support symbolic links.

In the best Botchamania tradition: Huh!? Symbolic Links (Windows)

Originally Posted by mario++

Yes, I'm refferring to Windows Shortcut

What I mean: Is it possible to distinguish a Windows Shortcut (.lnk) from a file?