---
name: "drop_nlink"
section: "9"
platform: "linux"
package: "linux-manual-4.9"
version: "4.9.228-1"
release: "Debian 9 (Stretch)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/drop_nlink"
---

# drop\_nlink(9)

directly drop an inode's link count

## NAME

drop\_nlink - directly drop an inode's link count

## SYNOPSIS

**void drop\_nlink(struct inode \*** *inode***);**

## ARGUMENTS

*inode*

inode

## DESCRIPTION

This is a low-level filesystem helper to replace any direct filesystem manipulation of i\_nlink. In cases where we are attempting to track writes to the filesystem, a decrement to zero means an imminent write when the file is truncated and actually unlinked on the filesystem.

## COPYRIGHT