Linux file system is a skill that can take you far. It’s meticulously organized – like a well-structured library. Each directory has a unique, specific purpose.
Let’s demystify the key directories:
/: The root directory where it all begins. Every other directory is a subdirectory of this one.
/๐ฏ๐ถ๐ป: Contains fundamental binary files, necessary for minimal system functioning.
/๐๐ฏ๐ถ๐ป: Similar to /bin, but contains binaries essential for system bootup and repair.
/๐ฒ๐๐ฐ: Holds system-wide configuration files. It’s the go-to place for system administrators.
/๐ต๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ: A personal space for users. Think of it as your work desk, containing your documents, downloads, and more.
/๐๐ฎ๐ฟ: Stores variable data files such as logs, emails, print queues, and most notably databases.
/๐๐๐ฟ: Holds user-related programs, libraries, and files.
/๐น๐ถ๐ฏ: Contains shared library files supporting the binaries in /bin and /sbin.
/๐ผ๐ฝ๐: Optional or add-on software packages are located here.
/๐๐บ๐ฝ: A place for temporary files used by the system, cleared upon reboot.
/๐ฏ๐ผ๐ผ๐: All the files necessary for booting the system are here.
/๐ฑ๐ฒ๐: Contains device files for all hardware devices on the system.
/๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ: An interesting directory that doesn’t contain files but system and process information.
/๐ฟ๐ผ๐ผ๐: This is the home directory for the root user, not to be confused with the root (/) directory at the top of the filesystem.
/๐ฟ๐๐ป: This directory hosts temporary files (like /tmp) but these are specifically related to running processes and are created at an early stage of the boot process.
/๐๐ฟ๐: This directory contains data for services provided by the system.
/๐๐๐: Similar to /proc, this is a virtual filesystem providing a unified interface through which the kernel provides information about devices, drivers, and some kernel features.
/๐บ๐ป๐: This is a generic mount point under which you mount filesystems or devices.
/๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ: This directory is generally used by the system as a mount point for removable media like CDs, digital cameras, or other media devices.
๐ช๐ต๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐, ๐๐ผ๐ ๐บ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ธ?
Well, understanding the Linux file system is crucial for many reasons: It helps you locate files swiftly, troubleshoot issues more effectively, and makes you a proficient developer or system administrator.
In an era where Linux skills are increasingly in demand, understanding the file system structure isn’t just an add-on; it’s a necessity.
