liblnk(3)

πŸ“¦
this version Β· 2 versions
, in debian trixie, opensuse-leap 16.0, ubuntu questing, ubuntu resolute, ubuntu stonking

πŸ’– liblnk(3) β€” the Windows Shortcut File (LNK) library, bestie edition πŸ’–

Library Functions Manual Β· liblnk Β· omg she's here πŸ¦‹


✨ NAME ✨

liblnk.h β€” the library that lets you get all up ins the Windows Shortcut File (LNK) format πŸ‘‘

No cap, this is the header you include when you want to know what a .lnk file is actually hiding.


🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

#include <liblnk.h>

🫢 Support functions 🫢

the little helpers that keep the whole thing running

const char *
liblnk_get_version(void);

int
liblnk_get_access_flags_read(void);

int
liblnk_get_codepage(int *codepage, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_set_codepage(int codepage, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_check_file_signature(const char *filename,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

Available when compiled with wide character string support:

int
liblnk_check_file_signature_wide(const wchar_t *filename,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

Available when compiled with libbfio support:

int
liblnk_check_file_signature_file_io_handle(libbfio_handle_t *file_io_handle,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

πŸ“£ Notify functions πŸ“£

so the library can literally tell you what's going on, main character energy

void
liblnk_notify_set_verbose(int verbose);

int
liblnk_notify_set_stream(FILE *stream, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_notify_stream_open(const char *filename, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_notify_stream_close(liblnk_error_t **error);

πŸ’€ Error functions πŸ’€

for when things go wrong (and they WILL go wrong, iykyk)

void
liblnk_error_free(liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_error_fprint(liblnk_error_t *error, FILE *stream);

int
liblnk_error_sprint(liblnk_error_t *error, char *string, size_t size);

int
liblnk_error_backtrace_fprint(liblnk_error_t *error, FILE *stream);

int
liblnk_error_backtrace_sprint(liblnk_error_t *error, char *string,
    size_t size);

πŸŽ€ File functions πŸŽ€

open the file, close the file, become one with the file πŸ¦‹

int
liblnk_file_initialize(liblnk_file_t **file, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_free(liblnk_file_t **file, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_signal_abort(liblnk_file_t *file, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_open(liblnk_file_t *file, const char *filename,
    int access_flags, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_close(liblnk_file_t *file, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_ascii_codepage(liblnk_file_t *file, int *ascii_codepage,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_set_ascii_codepage(liblnk_file_t *file, int ascii_codepage,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_is_corrupted(liblnk_file_t *file, liblnk_error_t **error);

Available when compiled with wide character string support:

int
liblnk_file_open_wide(liblnk_file_t *file, const wchar_t *filename,
    int access_flags, liblnk_error_t **error);

Available when compiled with libbfio support:

int
liblnk_file_open_file_io_handle(liblnk_file_t *file,
    libbfio_handle_t *file_io_handle, int access_flags,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

the actual tea β˜• everything the shortcut is spilling about where it points

int
liblnk_file_get_data_flags(liblnk_file_t *file, uint32_t *data_flags,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_data_size(liblnk_file_t *file, size64_t *data_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_link_refers_to_file(liblnk_file_t *file,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_file_creation_time(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint64_t *filetime, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_file_modification_time(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint64_t *filetime, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_file_access_time(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint64_t *filetime, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_file_size(liblnk_file_t *file, uint32_t *file_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_icon_index(liblnk_file_t *file, uint32_t *icon_index,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_show_window_value(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint32_t *show_window_value, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_hot_key_value(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint16_t *hot_key_value, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_file_attribute_flags(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint32_t *file_attribute_flags, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_drive_type(liblnk_file_t *file, uint32_t *drive_type,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_drive_serial_number(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint32_t *drive_serial_number, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_volume_label_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf8_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_volume_label(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint8_t *utf8_string, size_t utf8_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_volume_label_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf16_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_volume_label(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint16_t *utf16_string, size_t utf16_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_local_path_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf8_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_local_path(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint8_t *utf8_string, size_t utf8_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_local_path_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf16_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_local_path(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint16_t *utf16_string, size_t utf16_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_network_path_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf8_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_network_path(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint8_t *utf8_string, size_t utf8_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_network_path_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf16_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_network_path(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint16_t *utf16_string, size_t utf16_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_description_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf8_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_description(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint8_t *utf8_string, size_t utf8_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_description_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf16_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_description(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint16_t *utf16_string, size_t utf16_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_relative_path_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf8_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_relative_path(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint8_t *utf8_string, size_t utf8_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_relative_path_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf16_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_relative_path(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint16_t *utf16_string, size_t utf16_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_working_directory_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf8_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_working_directory(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint8_t *utf8_string, size_t utf8_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_working_directory_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf16_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_working_directory(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint16_t *utf16_string, size_t utf16_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_command_line_arguments_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf8_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_command_line_arguments(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint8_t *utf8_string, size_t utf8_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_command_line_arguments_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf16_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_command_line_arguments(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint16_t *utf16_string, size_t utf16_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_icon_location_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf8_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf8_icon_location(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint8_t *utf8_string, size_t utf8_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_icon_location_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *utf16_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_utf16_icon_location(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint16_t *utf16_string, size_t utf16_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_link_target_identifier_data_size(liblnk_file_t *file,
    size_t *data_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_copy_link_target_identifier_data(liblnk_file_t *file,
    uint8_t *data, size_t data_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

asking the question: does she have DLT data or not 🫣

int
liblnk_file_has_distributed_link_tracking_data(liblnk_file_t *file,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

πŸ“ Extra data block functions πŸ“

counting the blocks, grabbing the blocks, living the block life ngl

int
liblnk_file_get_number_of_data_blocks(liblnk_file_t *file,
    int *number_of_data_blocks, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_file_get_data_block_by_index(liblnk_file_t *file,
    int data_block_index, liblnk_data_block_t **data_block,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

πŸ¦‹ Data block functions πŸ¦‹

int
liblnk_data_block_free(liblnk_data_block_t **data_block,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_data_block_get_signature(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint32_t *signature, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_data_block_get_data_size(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    size_t *data_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_data_block_copy_data(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint8_t *data, size_t data_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

🌈 Strings data block functions 🌈

the strings block said "let me speak" and she DID πŸ’…

int
liblnk_strings_data_block_get_utf8_string_size(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    size_t *utf8_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_strings_data_block_get_utf8_string(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint8_t *utf8_string, size_t utf8_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_strings_data_block_get_utf16_string_size(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    size_t *utf16_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_strings_data_block_get_utf16_string(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint16_t *utf16_string, size_t utf16_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

okay that's the synopsis bestie, and there's MORE coming β€” stay tuned πŸ’–

Still mid-synopsis, still thriving ✨ these next ones are the strings data block crew, and they come in the classic matched-set vibe: a _size twin and the real one, once UTF-8 and once UTF-16 πŸ’–

int
liblnk_strings_data_block_get_utf8_path_string_size(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    size_t *utf8_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_strings_data_block_get_utf8_path_string(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint8_t *utf8_string, size_t utf8_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_strings_data_block_get_utf16_path_string_size(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    size_t *utf16_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_strings_data_block_get_utf16_path_string(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint16_t *utf16_string, size_t utf16_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

Distributed link tracking data block functions πŸ¦‹

okay these names are a mouthful, but the pattern is the same every single time: machine identifier in UTF-8, machine identifier in UTF-16, then four GUID getters, then the "birth" versions of two of those GUIDs. matching set, no notes, no cap πŸŽ€

int
liblnk_distributed_link_tracking_data_block_get_utf8_machine_identifier_size(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    size_t *utf8_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_distributed_link_tracking_data_block_get_utf8_machine_identifier(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint8_t *utf8_string, size_t utf8_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_distributed_link_tracking_data_block_get_utf16_machine_identifier_size(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    size_t *utf16_string_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_distributed_link_tracking_data_block_get_utf16_machine_identifier(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint16_t *utf16_string, size_t utf16_string_size,
    liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_distributed_link_tracking_data_block_get_droid_volume_identifier(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint8_t *guid_data, size_t guid_data_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_distributed_link_tracking_data_block_get_droid_file_identifier(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint8_t *guid_data, size_t guid_data_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_distributed_link_tracking_data_block_get_birth_droid_volume_identifier(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint8_t *guid_data, size_t guid_data_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

int
liblnk_distributed_link_tracking_data_block_get_birth_droid_file_identifier(liblnk_data_block_t *data_block,
    uint8_t *guid_data, size_t guid_data_size, liblnk_error_t **error);

and that's the whole function family, bestie, collect them all πŸ’…


DESCRIPTION πŸ’«

One whole function lives here and it's a little icon:

  • liblnk_get_version() β€” you use this to retrieve the library version. that is literally its entire job, and honestly? respect. 🫢

RETURN VALUES πŸ’–

okay so vibe check on error handling 🫠 Most of these functions give you back NULL or -1 when something goes wrong β€” which one you get depends on the return type of the function, so it's not a one-size-fits-all situation.

And for the actual return values? go look in liblnk.h. that's where they live, that's where you'll find them, iykyk πŸ“–βœ¨


ENVIRONMENT 🌈

None β€” nothing to set up, nothing lurking in your env, we love a low-maintenance lib ✨


FILES πŸ“

None β€” no files, no paths, no drama πŸ’…


NOTES 🧚

Real talk, this part matters if you're compiling from source πŸ‘‘

  • liblnk can be compiled with wide character support (wchar_t).
  • To compile liblnk with wide character support, use:
./configure --enable-wide-character-type=yes
  • or define _UNICODE or UNICODE during compilation.
  • LIBLNK_WIDE_CHARACTER_TYPE in liblnk/features.h can be used to figure out whether liblnk was compiled with wide character support. so if you're ever standing there like "wait, did my build get the wide char treatment?" β€” that's your girl πŸ’–

BUGS 😭

found a bug of any kind? please please please report it on the project issue tracker, bestie, they want to know:

(no gatekeeping the bug reports 🫢)


AUTHOR πŸ‘‘

These man pages are generated from liblnk.h. so yeah, the header did all the talking and the man page just showed up looking gorgeous ✨


Copyright (C) 2009-2024, Joachim Metz <joachim.metz@gmail.com>.

This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.

There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. 🫠 so like… do not come for them if it breaks, fr fr.

SEE ALSO πŸ”₯

  • the liblnk.h include file β€” that's the whole list, and honestly it's the final boss of this man page πŸ‘‘

and that's a wrap on liblnk(3)! this page ships with liblnk and it's dated October 28, 2023 β€” go forth and parse your LNK files, you absolute main character πŸ’–βœ¨πŸŽ€

πŸ“¦ where this page comes from