Directories in Linux

Directories found on Linux Systems

/ - root directory where everything begins

 

/bin - contains binaries (programs) that must be present for the system to boot and run (executables)

/bin/sh = Bourne shell 
- every Unix system needs a version of the Bourne shell in order to function correctly

 

/boot - contains Linux kernel, initial RAM disk image (for drivers needed at boot time), and boot loader

/boot/grub/grub.conf or menu.lst
- configure the boot loader

 

/dev - special directory that contains device nodes (files), the kernel maintains a list of all the devices

 

/etc - contains all of the system-wide configuration files and collection of shell scripts that start each of the system services at boot time Everything is readable text. (password, boot, device, networking.. etc)

 

/home - home directories for regular users

 

/lib - contains shared library files used by the core system programs

 

/media- contain the mount points for removable media (USB, CD-ROMS) mounted automatically at insertion

 

/mnt - contains mount points for removable devices that have been mounted manually

 

/opt - install "optional" software , used to hold commercial software products that might be install on the system

 

/proc - short for process, virtual file system maintained by the Linux kernel. Files are readable and will give us a picture of how the kernel sees the computer / currently running processes/parameters

 

/root- home directory for the root account

 

/run - runtime data specific to the system (process IDs, socket files, status records, system logging), can also find in /var/run in older systems

 

/sbin - contains "system" binaries , programs that perform vital system tasks that are reserved for the superuser, place for system executables

 

/tmp - intended for the storage of temporary, transient files created by various programs

 

/usr - largest one on the Linux system, contains all the programs and support files used by regular users

 

/usr/bin - contains executable programs installed by the Linux distribution

 

/usr/lib - shared libraries for the programs in /usr/bin

 

/usr/local - where programs that are not included with the distribution but are intended for system-wide use are installed. Is usually empty until an admin puts something in it

 

/usr/sbin - contains more system administration programs

 

/usr/share - contains all the data used by programs in /usr/bin (default configuration fines, icons, screen backgrounds, etc)

 

/var - tree where data that is likely to change is stored. Various databases , spool files, mail ect

 

/var/log - contains log files, records of various system activities that are important and should be monitored from time to time.

/var/log/messages, /var/log/syslog

 

These are the directories that exists in Linux, modeleted after the Unix family of operating systems. It has an extensive command line interface that allows user to have more control, access, and the availability. Knowing the basic directories when operating programs on linux is very important, which this post points out!