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Linux Directory Structure Explained

The Linux directory structure organizes files in a hierarchical manner with the root directory "/" at the top. Key directories include /bin and /sbin for essential binaries, /etc for configuration files, /dev for devices, /proc for process information, /var for log files and temporary files, /tmp for temporary files, /usr for user programs, /home for user home directories, /boot for boot loader files, /lib for system libraries, /opt for optional add-on applications, /mnt for mounting filesystems, and /media for removable media. Each directory serves an important purpose for organizing and accessing files on a Linux system.

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216 views

Linux Directory Structure Explained

The Linux directory structure organizes files in a hierarchical manner with the root directory "/" at the top. Key directories include /bin and /sbin for essential binaries, /etc for configuration files, /dev for devices, /proc for process information, /var for log files and temporary files, /tmp for temporary files, /usr for user programs, /home for user home directories, /boot for boot loader files, /lib for system libraries, /opt for optional add-on applications, /mnt for mounting filesystems, and /media for removable media. Each directory serves an important purpose for organizing and accessing files on a Linux system.

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Anonymous vcdqCTtS9
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Linux directory structure explained

I thought some people might like this.


Remembering what all the default directories in Linux are for, can be hard at first. Here is a little
cheat sheet that shows the Linux directory structure.

/ Root

Every single file and directory starts from the root directory.
Only root user has write privilege under this directory.
Please note that /root is root users home directory, which is not same as /.

/bin User Binaries

Contains binary executables.


Common linux commands you need to use in single-user modes are located under this directory.
Commands used by all the users of the system are located here.
For example: ps, ls, ping, grep, cp.

/sbin System Binaries

Just like /bin, /sbin also contains binary executables.


But, the linux commands located under this directory are used typically by system aministrator,
for system maintenance purpose.
For example: iptables, reboot, fdisk, ifconfig, swapon

/etc Configuration Files

Contains configuration files required by all programs.


This also contains startup and shutdown shell scripts used to start/stop individual programs.
For example: /etc/resolv.conf, /etc/logrotate.conf
/dev Device Files

Contains device files.


These include terminal devices, usb, or any device attached to the system.
For example: /dev/tty1, /dev/usbmon0

/proc Process Information

Contains information about system process.


This is a pseudo filesystem contains information about running process. For example:
/proc/{pid} directory contains information about the process with that particular pid.
This is a virtual filesystem with text information about system resources. For example: /proc/up-
time

/var Variable Files

var stands for variable files.


Content of the files that are expected to grow can be found under this directory.
This includes system log files (/var/log); packages and database files (/var/lib); emails
(/var/mail); print queues (/var/spool); lock files (/var/lock); temp files needed across reboots
(/var/tmp);

/tmp Temporary Files

Directory that contains temporary files created by system and users.


Files under this directory are deleted when system is rebooted.

/usr User Programs (Unix System Resources)

Also known as short for Unix System Resources


Contains binaries, libraries, documentation, and source-code for second level programs.
/usr/bin contains binary files for user programs. If you cant find a user binary under /bin, look
under /usr/bin. For example: at, awk, cc, less, scp
/usr/sbin contains binary files for system administrators. If you cant find a system binary under
/sbin, look under /usr/sbin. For example: atd, cron, sshd, useradd, userdel
/usr/lib contains libraries for /usr/bin and /usr/sbin
/usr/local contains users programs that you install from source. For example, when you install
apache from source, it goes under /usr/local/apache2

/home Home Directories

Home directories for all users to store their personal files.


For example: /home/john, /home/brian

/boot Boot Loader Files

Contains boot loader related files.


Kernel initrd, vmlinux, grub files are located under /boot
For example: initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic, vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic

/lib System Libraries

Contains library files that supports the binaries located under /bin and /sbin
Library filenames are either ld* or lib*.so.*
For example: ld-2.11.1.so, libncurses.so.5.7

/opt Optional add-on Applications

opt stands for optional.


Contains add-on applications from individual vendors.
add-on applications should be installed under either /opt/ or /opt/ sub-directory.

/mnt Mount Directory

Temporary mount directory where sysadmins can mount filesystems.

/media Removable Media Devices

Temporary mount directory for removable devices.


For examples, /media/cdrom for CD-ROM; /media/floppy for floppy drives; /media/cdrecorder for
CD writer

/srv Service Data

srv stands for service.


Contains server specific services related data.
For example, /srv/cvs contains CVS related data.

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