Directory Hierarchy Overview
Linux uses a hierarchical file system, where everything starts from the root directory (/).
Main Directories and Their Purposes
| Directory | Description |
|---|---|
/ | Root directory — the base of the Linux system. |
/home/ | User home directories (e.g., /home/student). |
/root/ | Home for the root (administrator) user. |
/etc/ | System configuration files. |
/var/ | Logs and variable data (changes frequently). |
/usr/ | Installed programs and utilities. |
/bin/ | Essential user commands (like ls, cp, mv). |
/sbin/ | System commands used by administrators. |
/tmp/ | Temporary files (deleted after reboot). |
/lib/ | System libraries for programs. |
/opt/ | Optional or third-party software. |
/mnt/, /media/ | Mount points for external devices. |
/dev/ | Device files for hardware (e.g., /dev/sda1). |
Example Directory Structure
/
├── bin/
├── etc/
├── home/
│ ├── user1/
│ └── user2/
├── var/
│ └── log/
└── usr/
└── bin/