Linux Fundamentals - Part 2: Understanding Directory Hierarchy

This post summarizes what I have learned about the most common Linux directories and how they are used in a typical system.

/ - Root Directory

The root directory is the starting point of a Linux filesystem.

All other directories and files are exist under this directory.

/bin - Binaries

The bin directory contains essential commands that are required for basic system operations.

Examples:

`ls

cd

cp

mv

rm

`

/dev - Device Files

This directory only contains special files, including those relating to the devices. These are virtual files, not physically on the disk.

/dev/null

This line of code can be sent to destroy any file or string.

/dev/zero

This line of code contains an infinite sequence of 0.

/dev/random

This line of code contains an infinite sequence of random values.

/etc - Configuration Files

This directory contains the core configuration files of the system, use primarily by the administrator and services, such as the password file and networking files.

/usr - User System Resources

This directory contains most installed software and user-level programs.

Common subdirectories include:

• 
  /usr/bin - contains basic user commands.


• ‘/usr/sbin’ - contains additional commands for the administrator.


• ‘/usr/lib’ - contains the system libraries.


• /usr/share’ - contains documentation manual pages.

/home - User Home Directories

This directory contains personal directories for regular users.

Example:

/home/Downloads