Links make it easier for you to find and organize files and folders in your Workspace. A link references to the original file that can be stored in your workspace or on the external data store (eNode). |
In this guide, you will learn about links - a mechanism that allows you to create a shortcut that references the original file or folder stored in the other location.
We show you how to add a link to the file stored on the external data store (eNode). eNode link gives easy access to the file stored on an external data store without the need to copy it to your Workspace. As a result, you can access the file as if you had it in your workspace but the file does not use your Workspace storage space.
We also demonstrate how to create a Workspace link. A workspace link is a shortcut that points to a file or directory within your Workspace. A workspace link makes it easier to find and organize files and folders inside your Workspace.
Link to the file stored on the external data store (eNode)
You can add files from external data stores to your workspace directly from the Data Search or from the file viewer. Both Data Search and file viewer allow you to add a file as a copy (Add to workspace action) or as a link (Add to workspace as link action). Add to workspace as link creates a link in your workspace that points to the file stored on external a data store. A link gives easy access to the external file without the need to physically copy it to your Workspace. As a result, you can access the file as if you had it in your workspace but the file does not use your Workspace storage space.
Creating a link to eNode file directly from the Data Search:
Creating a link to eNode file directly from the file viewer:
The link was added to the selected directory (e.g. Project-B directory). The link it is marked with a special "link icon" (Figure 1.4). In the File information menu you can see the information that link points to a file from external data store (Figure 1.4). You can also see that the link does not add up to the workspace storage space as its size is 0B.
Figure 1.1. Creating a link to eNode file from the Data Search
Figure 1.2. Creating a link to eNode file from the file viewer
Figure 1.3. Selecting the directory where the link should be added e.g. the Project-B directory
Figure 1.4. Workspace view of the created link and File information view
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
A link to the file stored on the external data store (eNode) will break if:
A workspace link is a shortcut that points to a file or directory within your Workspace. Workspace links make it easier to find and organize files and folders. A link can be used just like an original file e.g it can be used as an input for the compatible applications and visualizations. Links can be used to “store” multiple copies of the same file in different places but still reference one file. These copies remain up to date and do not add up to your workspace storage space, since they always point to the same file.ink can be u
Figures 2.1-2.5 show how to create a Workspace link:
Figure 2.1. Creating a Workspace link: Use the file menu and select Create link action. You can create a link to the file or directory.
Figure 2.2. Creating a Workspace link: Select the directory where the link will be created e.g. Project-A directory
The link to the catalog.mat file was created in the Project-A directory.
Figure 2.3. Workspace view after creating a link
Figure 2.4. Information about created link
Figure 2.5. Multiple workspace links to the same file
A workspace link will break if:
Figure 2.6. Broken workspace link. After deleting the original file the workspace link is broken. A broken link is indicated by the red "link icon" in your Workspace.
For most operations file links can be used in the same way as the source files:
Some operations work differently on file links than on source files:
If someone shares a file with you, and you add it to your workspace as a link, it can be used in the same way as the regular workspace links. Keep in mid that if the owner of the file would delete it or change permission the link may become broken.
To learn about sharing files, directories and applications with other users check out Sharing files and applications guide.