UNIX operating systems (which are usually running SSH
and SFTP servers) have something called 'a link'
implemented in their file system. Windows has something
similar called a 'shortcut'. These are files that point
to another file or a directory and are created by regular
users or administrators.
The RealPath method will send a request to a server to
'reveal' information about such a link file. For
example, to determine if
/bin/sh
is really an executable file, or just a link
to
/usr/local/bin/bash
(typically set on newer UNIXes), you could call this
method. After the request completes on the
server, the ListItems event
will be fired, containing the real path of the file that
/bin/sh points to. It could be
/usr/local/bin/bash, it could be
/bin/sh (if it is not a link at
all) or could be something else.
Even if you do see a link file like this when you
initiate the ListDir method (they
are shown like this: /bin/sh ->
/usr/local/bin/bash) , it is possible that this
is hidden because some UNIX operating systems
(such as Solaris SunOS) also support hard links in their
file system. In which case you will not be aware of links using regular directory listings.
