Folder or Directory? Here’s Why Folders are Called Directories in Linux

[Sun-Tzu]

Link: https://itsfoss.com/folder-directory-linux/

Folder or Directory? Here’s Why Folders are Called Directories in Linux

 

If you start using computers with Windows, you are likely to use the term folder.

But when you switch to Linux, you’ll find that folders are often termed as directory.

This may confuse some new Linux users. Should you call it folder or directory? Is there even a difference?

Here’s the thing. You can call it folder if you want or directory if you like. It won’t make a difference.

But if you wonder why a folder is called directory in Linux, here is some explanation.

Quote

The term existed even before the existence of Linux. It is coming from the UNIX era. Linux inherits a lot of things from UNIX and this is just one of those many things.

 

[Mindovermaster Moderator]

Well, folders are technically directories.. Just depends on who ever names them. /home/ is the same thing as c:/home/

 

Just a different way of thinking it.

 

Edit: Same with Command Prompt and Terminal. They are used each way.

[+devHead Subscriber²]

In Linux now, for example in the File Explorer, you create a new Folder.  At least in Gnome and in its file manager.

[Mindovermaster Moderator]

On 30/12/2021 at 21:28, devHead said:

In Linux now, for example in the File Explorer, you create a new Folder.  At least in Gnome and in its file manager.

They say "create a foilder" in KDE Plasma, too.. It totally depends on the file manager you use.

[Tomoko]

I started with MS-DOS so I'm familiar with the term directory, but folder is usually used in a GUI environment since they are represented by folder icons. I think the term started with the Xerox Star before hitting the mainstream on Macintosh and Windows computers. In a command line environment I still use the term directory since folder doesn't make any sense there.

[+Jester124 Subscriber²]

Staring back in DOS and it being directory there, I personally do not see them as different outside of it labeled as a folder in GUI's due to the visual implementation. Windows even uses the directory command to view contents in all command line. I know I have been in IT and doing tech for a long time, but it is surprising that people get tripped on on this. Its like saying automobile instead of car. One is just a more modern way of referencing the same point.

[shakey_snake]

tl;dr "Everything is a file."

[Mindovermaster Moderator]

On 18/01/2022 at 22:22, shakey_snake said:

tl;dr "Everything is a file."

"Not necessarily" 😛