The linux file system structure

The Linux File System Structure:
Take a look at a graphical representation of the Linux File System:
The first thing we need to talk about is the root directory (/). It is the directory where all of the other
directories in the file system are stored. The root user is the only one who can write to this directory. It
is not to be confused with /root which is the root user’s home directory!

Within the root directory, you will find the following sub-directories. I have included some descriptions
of each:
1. /bin
The /bin directory is for User Binaries. It is where many of the most common Linux commands are
stored. Specifically, this is where the single user mode binaries are stored.
2. /sbin
This directory is almost exactly like the /bin directory, with one exception. The binaries here are
primarily used by Administrators for system maintenance.
3. /etc
The configuration files for your programs and operating system are stored in /etc.
4. /dev
This is where all of the device files are located. For example, this is the directory that you would call to
in order to mount a drive with a command like: mount /dev/sda2 /mnt/backup
5. /proc
The /proc directory is one of the most interesting in the whole Linux File System. It is actually its own
virtual file system with a massive amount of text information about system processes.
6. /var
This is where all of the variable files are stored. Most commonly, this is where log files and web server
files are stored.
7. /tmp
These are simply temporary files.
8. /usr
Programs installed by single users get stored here.
9. /home
This is where all of the user home directories are except for the root user’s home directory which is
/root.
10. /boot
The files that make up the boot loader go in /boot. Everything from boot loader menus, to the actual
kernel files are stored here.

11. /lib
All of the binary files that are located in /bin and /sbin are supported by the library files located in /lib.
12. /opt
/opt is short for “optional”. It is the directory where individual vendors can install optional add-on
software for the operating system.
13. /mnt
The /mnt directory is the mount point that system administrators can use to mount file systems
temporarily.
14. /media
The /media directory serves the same purpose as the /mnt directory except it is specifically for
removable devices and can be used by non administrators.
15. /srv
The /srv directory contains server specific service files.

The linux file system structure

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The linux file system structure