Filesystem Hierarchy Standard

6.1.2 /dev : Devices and special files

All devices and special files in /dev should adhere to the Linux Allocated Devices document, which is available with the Linux kernel source. It is maintained by H. Peter Anvin <hpa@zytor.com>.

Symbolic links in /dev should not be distributed with Linux systems except as provided in the Linux Allocated Devices document.

START RATIONALE

The requirement not to make symlinks promiscuously is made because local setups will often differ from that on the distributor's development machine. Also, if a distribution install script configures the symbolic links at install time, these symlinks will often not get updated if local changes are made in hardware. When used responsibly at a local level, however, they can be put to good use.

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Translated by troff2html v1.4 on 13 January 2001 by Daniel Quinlan