readlink

Get the actual file to which the symlink points

$ readlink [path/to/file]

$ readlink -f [path/to/file]

readlink [OPTION]... FILE...

Note realpath(1) is the preferred command to use for canonicalization functionality.

Print value of a symbolic link or canonical file name

-f, --canonicalize

canonicalize by following every symlink in every component of the given name recursively; all but the last component must exist

-e, --canonicalize-existing

canonicalize by following every symlink in every component of the given name recursively, all components must exist

-m, --canonicalize-missing

canonicalize by following every symlink in every component of the given name recursively, without requirements on components existence

-n, --no-newline

do not output the trailing delimiter

-q, --quiet

-s, --silent

suppress most error messages (on by default)

-v, --verbose

report error messages

-z, --zero

end each output line with NUL, not newline

--help

display this help and exit

--version

output version information and exit

GNU coreutils online help: <https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/>
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Copyright © 2022 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later <https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>.
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

readlink(2), realpath(1), realpath(3) Full documentation <https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/readlink> or available locally via: info '(coreutils) readlink invocation'

Written by Dmitry V. Levin.