Symlink using file module

[spurs]

Hello guys,

I was working on the lab and understood this question.

-Use the file module to ensure that /etc/issue.net is a symbolic link to /etc/issue on the managed host.

So basically, /etc/issue.net >> /etc/issue.

However, I'm so confused what is the src and what is the dest.

I feel like issue.net is going to the issue, so issue should be the dest.

Here is the right code

   - name: Ensure /etc/issue.net is a symlink to /etc/issue
      file:
        src: /etc/issue
        dest: /etc/issue.net
        state: link
        owner: root
        group: root
        force: yes

Is there any easier way to understand src and dest regarding the symlink?

Thanks

[Chetan_Tiwary_ · Accepted solution]

Symlinks act as shortcuts with advanced properties that allow access to files from locations other than their original place in the folder hierarchy by providing operating systems with instructions on where the “target” file can be found.

ln [-fs] [-L|-P] source_file target_file

ln [-fs] [-L|-P] source_file... target_dir

https://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799.2018edition/utilities/ln.html 

 ln [OPTION]... [-T] TARGET LINK_NAME
       ln [OPTION]... TARGET
       ln [OPTION]... TARGET... DIRECTORY
       ln [OPTION]... -t DIRECTORY TARGET...

https://www.man7.org/linux/man-pages/man1/ln.1.html 

[Chetan_Tiwary_]

Also a better analogy to remember is : 

 ln -s existing_entity new_entity

or 

 ln -s old new