Files

The Linux system contains thousand of files located within many directories. All directories are organized in a tree-structure like manner.

• The ‘trunk’ of the tree is the root directory.
• The root directory is simply identified as a “/“.
• All other directories ‘branch’ off from the trunk.

The following lists the most common directories and their intended contents.

• / – root directory
• /home – where directories are contained for each user, example:
• /usr – pronounced ‘user’ and contains Linux commands and utilities
  • /bin – binary executable programs
  • /lib – program libraries, similar to Windows ‘dll’ files
  • /sbin – more executable programs and Linux utilities for administrative purposes
  • /doc – documentation
  • /src – source code to programs
• /tmp – temporary work files
• /etc – configuration files
  • /rc.d – scripts used during boot and shutdown process
  • /sysconfig – default configuration files
  • /sysconfig/network-scripts – network scripts
  • /sysconfig/daemons – special programs that run in background, such as print spooling
• /bin – binary executable programs that all users need
• /dev – device files that control drives, terminals and any equipment attached to the server
• /var – user specific files
  • /log – log files containing system usage and errors
  • /spool – where spooled files are stored during print spooling process
  • /mail – where Email files are stored until retrieved by client Email program
• /proc – system files
• /root – root’s home directory
• /opt – other options
• /sbin – more executable programs and utilities