Scribd
Upload
65 views5 pages

Linux Directory Structure

The document discusses the Linux directory structure and explains the purpose of the main directories. The root directory is "/" and contains all other directories. Common directories are /bin and /sbin for essential binaries, /usr for secondary user programs and data, /home for user home directories, /etc for configuration files, /var for log files and temporary files, /lib for essential shared libraries, and /opt and /srv for additional service applications and data. Each directory has a specific purpose for storing essential system files, user files, configuration files, binaries, libraries and other content.

Uploaded by

bomoarebun
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
65 views5 pages

Linux Directory Structure

The document discusses the Linux directory structure and explains the purpose of the main directories. The root directory is "/" and contains all other directories. Common directories are /bin and /sbin for essential binaries, /usr for secondary user programs and data, /home for user home directories, /etc for configuration files, /var for log files and temporary files, /lib for essential shared libraries, and /opt and /srv for additional service applications and data. Each directory has a specific purpose for storing essential system files, user files, configuration files, binaries, libraries and other content.

Uploaded by

bomoarebun
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Linux Directory Structure (File System Structure)

Explained with Examples


by RAMESH NATARAJAN on SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

Have you wondered why certain programs are located under /bin, or /sbin, or
/usr/bin, or /usr/sbin?

For example, less command is located under /usr/bin directory. Why not /bin, or
/sbin, or /usr/sbin? What is the different between all these directories?

In this article, let us review the Linux filesystem structures and understand the
meaning of individual high-level directories.
1. / Root
Every single file and directory starts from the root directory.
Only root user has write privilege under this directory.
Please note that /root is root users home directory, which is not same as /.

2. /bin User Binaries


Contains binary executables.
Common linux commands you need to use in single-user modes are located
under this directory.
Commands used by all the users of the system are located here.
For example: ps, ls, ping, grep, cp.

3. /sbin System Binaries


Just like /bin, /sbin also contains binary executables.
But, the linux commands located under this directory are used typically by
system aministrator, for system maintenance purpose.
For example: iptables, reboot, fdisk, ifconfig, swapon

4. /etc Configuration Files


Contains configuration files required by all programs.
This also contains startup and shutdown shell scripts used to start/stop
individual programs.
For example: /etc/resolv.conf, /etc/logrotate.conf

5. /dev Device Files


Contains device files.
These include terminal devices, usb, or any device attached to the system.
For example: /dev/tty1, /dev/usbmon0

6. /proc Process Information


Contains information about system process.
This is a pseudo filesystem contains information about running process. For
example: /proc/{pid} directory contains information about the process with that
particular pid.
This is a virtual filesystem with text information about system resources. For
example: /proc/uptime
7. /var Variable Files
var stands for variable files.
Content of the files that are expected to grow can be found under this directory.
This includes system log files (/var/log); packages and database files
(/var/lib); emails (/var/mail); print queues (/var/spool); lock files (/var/lock);
temp files needed across reboots (/var/tmp);

8. /tmp Temporary Files


Directory that contains temporary files created by system and users.
Files under this directory are deleted when system is rebooted.

9. /usr User Programs


Contains binaries, libraries, documentation, and source-code for second level
programs.
/usr/bin contains binary files for user programs. If you cant find a user binary
under /bin, look under /usr/bin. For example: at, awk, cc, less, scp
/usr/sbin contains binary files for system administrators. If you cant find a
system binary under /sbin, look under /usr/sbin. For example: atd, cron, sshd,
useradd, userdel
/usr/lib contains libraries for /usr/bin and /usr/sbin
/usr/local contains users programs that you install from source. For example,
when you install apache from source, it goes under /usr/local/apache2

10. /home Home Directories


Home directories for all users to store their personal files.
For example: /home/john, /home/nikita

11. /boot Boot Loader Files


Contains boot loader related files.
Kernel initrd, vmlinux, grub files are located under /boot
For example: initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic, vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic

12. /lib System Libraries


Contains library files that supports the binaries located under /bin and /sbin
Library filenames are either ld* or lib*.so.*
For example: ld-2.11.1.so, libncurses.so.5.7

13. /opt Optional add-on Applications


opt stands for optional.
Contains add-on applications from individual vendors.
add-on applications should be installed under either /opt/ or /opt/ sub-directory.
14. /mnt Mount Directory
Temporary mount directory where sysadmins can mount filesystems.

15. /media Removable Media Devices


Temporary mount directory for removable devices.
For examples, /media/cdrom for CD-ROM; /media/floppy for floppy drives;
/media/cdrecorder for CD writer

16. /srv Service Data


srv stands for service.
Contains server specific services related data.
For example, /srv/cvs contains CVS related data.

You might also like