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  "title" : "readSymbolicLink(_:context:replyHandler:)"
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# readSymbolicLink(_:context:replyHandler:)

Reads a symbolic link.

```
func readSymbolicLink(_ item: FSItem, context: FSContext, replyHandler reply: @escaping @Sendable (FSReadSymlinkResult?, (any Error)?) -> Void)
```

```
func readSymbolicLink(_ item: FSItem, context: FSContext) async throws -> FSReadSymlinkResult
```

## Parameters

`item`

The symbolic link to read from. FSKit guarantees this item is of type [`FSItem.ItemType.symlink`](/documentation/FSKit/FSItem/ItemType/symlink).

`context`

An object that enables context-aware file system decisions throughout the operation.

`reply`

A block or closure to indicate success or failure. If reading succeeds, pass an instance of [`FSReadSymlinkResult`](/documentation/FSKit/FSReadSymlinkResult) containing the link’s contents and attributes, along with a `nil` error. If reading fails, pass the relevant error as the second parameter; FSKit ignores the [`FSReadSymlinkResult`](/documentation/FSKit/FSReadSymlinkResult) instance in this case. For an `async` Swift implementation, there’s no reply handler; simply return the result instance or throw an error.

---

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