Finding the Link, the Hard Link

[David Walker]

David Walker wrote:
> OK, sorry for the sappy subject but oh well.
>
> So I am having a question and problem.  What I am doing is writing a 
> script to parse over 2 loop file systems, and check for changes.  
> Simple, no?  Well I thought so until I ran into the HardLink.  This 
> would be able to be ignored and just put 2 copies of the file in the 
> loop filesystem, however we are pressed for space and every 4k 
> matters.  So I ask, is there a way to tell the difference between the 
> real file, and a hard link?
>
> eg.
> /etc/passwd and /etc/passwd.hl
>
> The .hl was made with ln, now how can I tell that it is, or was made 
> with ln, a hard link?
>
> -- 
> Dave
>
Nevermind, thanks for the insight, but I think I figured what I need to do:

when I check files I find: /etc/passwd.  I stat it and see that it has 2 
links.  I add it to a links array.  From there, I continue searching and 
see /etc/passwd.hl, stat it and find it has 2 links as well.  Check to 
see if it's inode is in the array of links, and it is.

--
dave