File sharing and program linking both provide the ability to manipulate files, but program linking is a more comprehensive approach to the task.
File sharing strengths are based on the accessibility of files to others on your network. File sharing can make folders, hard disks, and CD-ROMs available to others. Users manipulate the files as if the files were local to their systems.
Program linking, on the other hand, is an automated programming effort in which applications are working with and manipulating other applications.
In configuring program linking, one element is similar to file sharing. To make a program available for linking, you choose Sharing from the File menu. There is never a conflict between the two because you may share only disks or folders, and you may link only application programs.