Understanding the Linux Filesystem Hierarchy: A Tour Through the Heart of Linux

The Linux filesystem is like a well-organized library. Every folder has a specific job, helping Linux keep things neat and efficient. Let’s take a quick tour from the top!

The Basics

• / (Root) - The foundation. Everything in Linux begins here, branching out like a tree.

• /bin - Essential commands. This is where tools like ls and cp live. Without /bin, you couldn’t even list files!

• /boot - Startup essentials. Holds the Linux kernel and bootloader, helping your system start up.

• /dev - Devices! Links to hardware like USBs and disks. It’s how Linux talks to the physical world.

Important Stops

• /etc - Configuration hub. This is the control center, holding files that shape your system’s behavior.

• /home - User space. Each user gets a personal directory here—your digital home base.

• /var - Dynamic data. Holds logs and temporary files that change often. Check /var/log when troubleshooting.

For the System

• /lib - Libraries. Supports essential binaries in /bin and /sbin.

• /tmp - Temporary storage. Holds files deleted on reboot. Great for temporary data, but don’t keep anything important here.

• /usr - User programs and apps. Where installed programs go, separated by user level.

• /sbin - Superuser binaries. Powerful commands like shutdown, reserved for admins.

For Advanced Users

• /proc & /sys - Live system data. Peek into these for CPU, memory, and other real-time details.