Linux File System
In Microsoft Windows, files are stored in directories/folders on different data drives like C: D: E: but, in Linux, files are ordered in a tree structure starting with the root directory, further branched out to various other sub-directories.
EVERYTHING in Linux is a FILE
⭕ Everything in the system is represented by a file descriptor
▪ Text documents, pictures, etc
▪ Commands, like pwd, ls, etc
▪ Devices like printer, keyboard, usb Even directories.
Linux makes no difference between a file and a directory since a directory is just a file containing the names of other files
Linux File Structure
⭕ / – Root
Every single file and directory starts from the root directory.
Only root user has write privilege under this directory.
Keep in mind that /root is root user’s home directory, which is not same as /.
⭕ /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.
⭕ /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
⭕ /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
⭕ /dev – Device Files
Contains device files.
These include terminal devices, usb, or any device attached to the system.
For example: /dev/tty1, /dev/usbmon0
⭕ /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
⭕ /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);
⭕ /tmp – Temporary Files
Directory that contains temporary files created by system and users.
Files under this directory are deleted when system is rebooted.
⭕ /usr – User Programs
Contains binaries, libraries, documentation, and source code for second-level programs.
/usr/bin contains binary files for user programs. If you can’t 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 can’t 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
⭕ /usr/local
Programs that WE install on the computer
Third-party applications like docker, minikube, java, etc
Programs installed here will be available for all users on the computer
⭕ /home – Home Directories
Home directories for all users to store their personal files.
For example: /home/asaf, /home/agil
⭕ /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
⭕ /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
⭕ /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.
⭕ /mnt – Mount Directory
Temporary mount directory where sysadmins can mount filesystems.
⭕ /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
⭕ /srv – Service Data
srv stands for service.
Contains server specific services related data.
For example, /srv/cvs contains CVS related data.
Hidden Files
Hidden files are primarily used to help prevent important data from being accidentally deleted or automatically generated by programs or OS
▪ Filename starts with a dot
▪ In UNIX also called "dotfiles"
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