File test operators...

Sleestak has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Anyone know of complete documentation on the file test operators (-r/-w/-x/etc.)?

Specifically I would like documentation on how the file test operators work with symbolic links.

$ ln -s my_dir symlink

-l "symlink"; # is true

-l "symlink/"; # is false
[download]

Are the permissions on the symlink ever important? Do the -x/-r/-w test check the link or the thing point to?

I realize that I could try to think of all the combinations and test them but I'm lazy.

Thanks.

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Re: File test operators... by japhy (Canon) on Mar 15, 2001 at 03:26 UTC
I believe the reason that "symlink/" is not a symbolic link is because "directory/" is shorthand for "directory/.", and "symlink/." is (hopefully) not a symlink. `japhy` -- Perl and Regex Hacker	[reply]
Re: File test operators... by arturo (Vicar) on Mar 15, 2001 at 03:31 UTC
`perldoc perlfunc` and search for '-X', or, if you're lazy (not in the best way!) try this oops subtler question than that, wasn't it? mea culpa! Philosophy can be made out of anything. Or less. -- Jerry A. Fodor	[reply] [d/l]
Re: File test operators... by buckaduck (Chaplain) on Mar 15, 2001 at 03:38 UTC
Maybe this is specific to the OS and/or the Perl version. I did this with Perl 5.005 on Solaris 7 and `(-l "symlink/")` evaluated TRUE. I did this with Perl 5.005 on HP/UX 10.20 and it evaluated FALSE. What does everyone else get? buckaduck	[reply] [d/l]