Understanding the Linux File System Structure

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📌 Introduction

When you first start using Linux, one of the biggest differences you’ll notice compared to Windows is the way files and directories are organized.

Everything in Linux is arranged in a single-rooted directory structure starting from / (called the root directory).

In this article, I’ll break down the basic Linux file system layout and explain what each key directory does.

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📌 How the Linux File System is Organized

Linux uses a hierarchical file system — like an upside-down tree:

The root directory (/) is at the top.

Underneath it are directories for system files, applications, user data, and device files.

Here’s a simple diagram:

/ ├── bin/ ├── boot/ ├── dev/ ├── etc/ ├── home/ ├── root/ ├── tmp/ ├── usr/ └── var/

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📌 Key Directories You Should Know

Directory Description

/ The root of the file system /bin Essential command-line tools (like ls, cp, mv) /boot Files needed to boot Linux /dev Device files (disks, USBs, etc.) /etc Configuration files for the system /home Personal directories for each user /root Home directory for the root user /tmp Temporary files (auto-deleted on reboot) /usr User-installed applications and libraries /var Variable data like logs, mail, and caches

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📌 Example: Navigating the File System

Here’s a quick example you can try in a Linux terminal:

cd / ls

This will list the top-level directories.

Then navigate into a directory:

cd /etc ls

And check out what’s inside.

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📌 Why This Matters in the Cloud

When working with AWS EC2 Linux instances:

You’ll need to know where to find configuration files (in /etc)

Place website files (often in /var/www/html)

Check logs (commonly in /var/log)

Install software (which typically goes in /usr/bin or /usr/local)

Understanding this layout will save you time troubleshooting and configuring cloud servers.

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📌 Conclusion

Getting familiar with the Linux file system structure is one of the smartest moves for any aspiring cloud engineer or system administrator.

Once you’re comfortable navigating it, you’ll feel right at home working with AWS Linux servers.

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✅ Follow for more Linux & AWS cloud tips! ✨ Tomorrow, we’ll cover essential Linux permissions and how to control file access.