Linux Directory Structure

The Linux directory structure provides a hierarchical organization for storing and managing files and directories. Here’s an overview of the key directories in the Linux file system:

1. / (Root):
   • The root directory is the top-level directory in the file system hierarchy. It contains all other directories and files.
2. /bin (Binary):
   • Essential command binaries (executable files) needed for system booting and repair. Common commands like ls, cp and mv are stored here.
3. /boot:
   • Contains files necessary for the system boot process, including the Linux kernel and initial RAM disk (initramfs).
4. /dev (Device):
   • Device files representing hardware devices on the system, such as hard drives, partitions, and external devices.
5. /etc (Etcetera):
   • Configuration files and directories containing system-wide configuration files and scripts.
6. /home:
   • Home directories for individual users. Each user has a subdirectory within /home.
7. /lib (Library):
   • Essential shared libraries needed by system binaries located in /bin and /sbin.
8. /lib64:
   • On 64-bit systems, this directory contains 64-bit shared libraries.
9. /media:
   • Mount points for removable media devices such as USB drives, CD-ROMs, and external hard drives.
10. /mnt (Mount):
    • Temporary mount points for mounting file systems during system maintenance.
11. /opt (Optional):
    • Optional software packages are installed in subdirectories under /opt.
12. /proc (Process):
    • A virtual file system providing information about running processes and kernel parameters.
13. /root:
    • The home directory for the root user.
14. /run:
    • System runtime data, including information about running processes, is stored here.
15. /sbin (System Binary):
    • System binaries essential for system booting, restoring, and repairing are stored here.
16. /srv (Service):
    • Data for services provided by the system.
17. /sys:
    • A virtual file system that exposes information about the kernel and devices.
18. /tmp (Temporary):
    • Temporary files are stored here. This directory is usually cleared on system reboot.
19. /usr (Unix System Resources):
    • Secondary hierarchy containing user utilities, applications, libraries, and documentation.
20. /var (Variable):
    • Variable files, such as logs, databases, and spool files, are stored here. Data that may change during normal system operation is placed in this directory.

These directories follow the File System Hierarchy Standard (FHS), which is a set of guidelines for the directory structure and organization on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux. Understanding the purpose of each directory is essential for efficiently navigating and managing a Linux system.