Symbolic links are a useful entity, with which you can introduce some kind of encapsulation. The Symbolic link can be created in a secure environment (ex: DMZ) where users can access with valid credentials.
This helps us to keep the real source safe and the original location hidden. The exposed location, in reality, maybe a virtual path that can be created based on various parameters such as login session, user credentials, etc.
Sample code:
import java.nio.file.*;import java.io.*;public class SymbolicLink{ public static void main(String args[]) { SymbolicLink symbolicLink = new SymbolicLink(); symbolicLink.proceed(); } private void proceed() { //You can use a secure path here that may be exposed to external users, who may be autorized to perform changes //The path is referring to restrictedAccess folder and this folder can be provided access so that external users can access Path symbolicLinkName = Paths.get("/home/sridhar/restrictedAccess/SymLnkForSourceFile"); //This is the source file for which the link is being established Path soruceName = Paths.get("/home/sridhar/SymbolicLink.java"); try { Files.createSymbolicLink(symbolicLinkName, soruceName); System.out.println("SymbolicLink created for " + soruceName); }catch (IOException ioe) { System.err.println(ioe); } }}/*
Expected output:
Before execution:[[email protected]]# ls -lrt-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1078 Jun 19 12:41 SymbolicLink.class-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1274 Jun 19 12:41 SymbolicLink.java
After execution:
[[email protected]]# java SymbolicLinkSymbolicLink created for /home/sridhar/SymbolicLink.java[[email protected]]# ls -lrt-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1078 Jun 19 12:41 SymbolicLink.class-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1274 Jun 19 12:41 SymbolicLink.javadrwxr-xr-x 2 root root 33 Jun 19 12:42 restrictedAccess
Executing for a second time results in a exception:
[[email protected]]# java SymbolicLinkjava.nio.file.FileAlreadyExistsException: /home/sridhar/restrictedAccess/SymLnkForSourceFile*/
