Linux Directory Structure

Prerequisite: Linux File Hierarchy Structure

In Linux/Unix operating system everything is a file even directories are files, files are files, and devices like mouse, keyboard, printer, etc are also files. Here we are going to see the Directory Structure in Linux.

Types of files in the Linux system. 

1.  General Files – It is also called ordinary files. It may be an image, video, program, or simple text file. These types of files can be in ASCII or Binary format. It is the most commonly used file in the Linux system.
2. Directory Files – These types of files are a warehouse for other file types. It may be a directory file within a directory (subdirectory).
3. Device Files – In a Windows-like operating system, devices like CD-ROM, and hard drives are represented as drive letters like F: G: H whereas in the Linux system devices are represented as files. As for example, /dev/sda1, /dev/sda2, and so on.

We know that in a Windows-like operating system, files are stored in different folders on different data drives like C: D: E: whereas in the Linux/Unix operating system files are stored in a tree-like structure starting with the root directory as shown in the below diagram. 

data storage in Linux/Unix operating systems

The Linux/Unix file system hierarchy base begins at the root and everything starts with the root directory. 

These are the common top-level directories associated with the root directory:

Some other directories in the Linux system:

Exploring directories and their usability:

We know that Linux is a very complex system that requires an efficient way to start, stop, maintain and reboot a system, unlike Windows operating system. In the Linux system some well-defined configuration files, binaries, main pages information files are available for every process. 

Linux Kernel File:

• /boot/vmlinux – The Linux kernel file.

Device Files:

• /dev/hda – Device file for the first IDE HDD.
• /dev/hdc – A pseudo-device that output garbage output is redirected to /dev/null.

System Configuration Files:

User Related Files:

Virtual and Pseudo Process Related Files:

Version Information File:

• /version – It displays the Linux version information.

Log Files:

To check the Linux directories, open the terminal and execute sudo -s followed by system password to give root privilege. Then after changing the current home directory to the root directory and check the list of all available directories in the base directory as shown below. 

 Linux directories

Conclusion

If we understand the Linux directory’s structure correctly, it would be so easy to effectively navigate and manage our filesystem, locate important configuration files, and access system information. One must know that the directory structure and specific file mentioned in this article are based on standard Linux conventions. We must consider that the different Linux distributions may have variations in the directory structure and specific file locations, but overall concept and organization remain similar.