Guide to Linux Directory Structure

[Keldyn]

The below guide has been taken from IeXbeta and was compiled by member vboyz103

I thought some of you may find it useful. It does make for a good read.

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Linux sees things as files and folders, for instance, your floppy drive is seen under Linux as /mnt/floppy, or CD-ROM drive as /mnt/cdrom and etc.

So this is the the overall Linux system architecture.

/

This directory is the ROOT of Linux where everything goes under here.

/usr/bin

This is where all the clients executables like GNOME desktop or KDE.

/usr/sbin

System-wise executables such as hdparm etc.

/usr/local

This is a default location for all 3rd party software installation.

/usr/src/linux-x.x (where x.x is the kernel version)

This is where you go if you want to compile Linux Kernel.

/etc

This directory contains all the CONFIGURATION files for daemons, software etc.

/var

This is a place to store logs for softwares, system logs, and cache for daemon such as squid.

/root

This is a home for user root.

/opt

Often is used for install third party software which Oracle, StarOffice, OpenOffice etc.

/tmp

This is like a C:\Windows\Temp directory in windows.

/boot

Contains all the boot images for Linux.

/home

This is where all the users account info are stored, disk quota can be set here.

/lib or /usr/lib

Are system/software library directories.

/proc

This is VITAL directory for Linux, because it contains all the info. to your hardware from CPU info, to VIDEO Card, BIOS, Hard disks, RAM, etc.

/sbin

This is usually where all the executables for daemon/servers such as DHCP, etc.

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If you guys can supply any useful additions please feel free to add here.

[MulletRobZ]

I think you're a bit confused, Keldyn:

/boot - contains information for the LILO or Grub interface and MBR information.

/etc - contains the configuration files for various programs.

/usr/src - contains the kernel source and configurations

/usr/bin - contains the links to execute the software.

/usr/lib, /usr/local or /usr/share - contains the libraries needed to run the software.

/root - the home directory for the root user.

/home/(user name) - the home directory for all the other users.

/var - contains the logs generated through the various actions done in Linux

/dev - contains the information for all of your devices

/mnt - links to any external partitions, CD-ROM's, DVD-ROM's, Zip drives, and Floppy drives.

[mezz]

  Webgraph said:

I think you're a bit confused, Keldyn:

He doesn't write this. I think, you are confusing too.

http://www.pathname.com/fhs/

http://www.gsp.com/cgi-bin/man.cgi?section...on=7&topic=hier

Well, honestly it's people's personal prefer. I personal rather to follow strict FreeBSD's hier(7) and FHS is near same.

  Quote

/usr/lib, /usr/local or /usr/share - contains the libraries needed to run the software.

/usr/local isn't libraries, which it's "another" /usr to keep the system to be seprate from other stuff what SysAdmin install. To avoid the conflict, confuse and make more easier life.

Came with system base:

/usr/bin/

/usr/lib/

goes on..

SysAdmin install non-X:

/usr/local/bin/ <-- this is execute stuff

/usr/local/lib/ <-- this is libraries..

goes on..

SysAdmin install X:

/usr/X11R6/bin/ <-- this is execute stuff

/usr/X11R6/lib/ <-- this is libraries..

goes on..

Some people prefer: (I hate this..)

/opt/bin/ <-- this is execute stuff

/opt/lib/ <-- this is libraries..

goes on..

Note: As you can see, it's easier to keep system seprate from what SysAdmin has installed. Also, I like to keep stuff under /usr, because it's easier to setup the size of slice partition rather than create many slice like /opt or whatever.

Anyway, the two links above provide the better explains and etc.

[Keldyn]

  Webgraph said:

I think you're a bit confused, Keldyn:

I think you should read it again...

I clearly stated i did not write it. There is nothing wrong with the guide, it is more a matter of personal preference as mezz has pointed out already. There are many ways to do this. What i have provided is just one example. It is over simplified i understand, but that is what makes it so perfect for people who are new to linux.

[wickedlester]

I don't know if this fits here. well, I guess it does. But I wanted to also suggest for new linux users, after fresh install is choose your main home working directory and set up some kind of folder structure there also. What I mean is somewhere to keep all your downloaded files, themes, documents, etc, etc. Because your /home directory can end up very cluttered if not, especially if you have your filebrowser set to show hidden files and folders. I usually just set up Documents as my main folder(like C:\ in windows) and then sub-folders beneath such as "wallpaper" "themes""saved_documents" etc. you get my drift anyway.

Just a suggestion because alot of programs create folders just under home and along with your folders it can get cluttered quick.

[mezz]

  wickedlester said:

What I mean is somewhere to keep all your downloaded files, themes, documents, etc, etc. Because your /home directory can end up very cluttered if not, especially if you have your filebrowser set to show hidden files and folders.

True.. What do I do with the home directory? I usually do /home -> /usr/home..