Linux Directory Structure

By | August 21, 2013

/bin – This directory contains most non-privileged system commands such as ls, mkdir, rm, etc.

/boot – Contains the systems boot image, boot loader, and the kernel

/dev – Contains Symbolic links to system devices such as optical and removable drives

/etc – Contains all system configuration files and most configurations for installed packages

/home – Contains a directory for each user and contains profile information

/lib – Contains dynamic libraries and modules for the Linux system and installed packages

/media – Contains mount points for optical drives and removable media

/mnt – Used as a location for mounted drives and shares

/opt – Contains user installed packages and custom software which are not handled by the system or package manager

/proc – An interface between the kernel and the system, useful for  system diagnosis information

/root – The superuser  (root)  home directory

/sbin – Contains privileged commands that are usually run as superuser (root/sudo)

/sys – An interface between the kernel and the system, used for modifying system settings

/tmp – A location for temporary files such as sessions on a web server

/usr – Contains most installed packages that are not part of the system, user installed programs

/usr/bin – Contains commands related to user installed packages in /usr

/usr/sbin – Contains privileged commands related to user installed packages in /usr

/var – Contains files that change often or accessed frequently

/var/log – Contains all system logs and most logs generated by installed packages which are very useful in diagnosing system issues ( a must know for system admins)

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