Understanding the Linux Filesystem Hierarchy: A Tour Through the Heart of Linux
Linux Filesystem Demystified: A Quick Guide to Key Directories
The Linux filesystem is like a well-organized library. Every folder has a specific job, helping Linux keep things neat and efficient. Let’s take a quick tour from the top!
The Basics
/ (Root) - The foundation. Everything in Linux begins here, branching out like a tree.
/bin - Essential commands. This is where tools like ls and cp live. Without /bin, you couldn’t even list files!
/boot - Startup essentials. Holds the Linux kernel and bootloader, helping your system start up.
/dev - Devices! Links to hardware like USBs and disks. It’s how Linux talks to the physical world.
Important Stops
/etc - Configuration hub. This is the control center, holding files that shape your system’s behavior.
/home - User space. Each user gets a personal directory here—your digital home base.
/var - Dynamic data. Holds logs and temporary files that change often. Check /var/log when troubleshooting.
For the System
/lib - Libraries. Supports essential binaries in /bin and /sbin.
/tmp - Temporary storage. Holds files deleted on reboot. Great for temporary data, but don’t keep anything important here.
/usr - User programs and apps. Where installed programs go, separated by user level.
/sbin - Superuser binaries. Powerful commands like shutdown, reserved for admins.
For Advanced Users
- /proc & /sys - Live system data. Peek into these for CPU, memory, and other real-time details.