Filesystem Hierarchy Standard
Last updated
Last updated
Most Linux distribution follow the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard as a reference for the layout of the Unix system.
All files and directories appear under the primary hierarchy root and entire file system root directory /
.
/bin
- stores important executable programs (binaries).
/boot
- boot loader files used to boot the system (kernel, initrd).
/dev
- device files for physical devices (mouse, hdds, standard in/out, standard error).
/etc
- local system-wide configuration files for programs.
/home
- personal directories of all users.
/lib
- essential shared libraries for binaries to run
/media
- mount point for removable media.
/mnt
- mount point for temporary file systems.
/opt
- additional software not found in the distribution repositories, custom utilities and packages, accessible to everyone.
/proc
- information about running processes, the kernel and system hardware.
/root
- home directory for the root user.
/sbin
- essential binaries available only to the root user.
/tmp
- temporary files used by the system, usually cleared on boot, not for important storage.
/usr
- contains important subdirectories, read-only data programs.
/var
- contains dynamic program data (logs, spool), troubleshooting log files.