I understand quite clearly that making a link to a file does not affect
either the data or the inode (aside from the link count.) However, link()
has the rather unexpected side affect of allowing someone who is NOT the
owner of a file to have the ability to prolong the lifespan of a file
indefinitely. And that is a modification, and should be restricted to
those with write access to the file, if not the owner.
Horrible, horrible!!! A person with read access to a file can copy the
file, thus having the rather unexpected side effect of allowing someone
who is not the owner of a file to have the ability to prolong the
lifespan of the contents of the file indefinitely.
Your point?
- Ted