Linux Dummies 9th

Chapter 6: Getting to Know the Linux Filesystem
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Table 6-1 lists what you might find in the base directory (that is, in /) in
Linux. This list can vary depending on what you installed. An asterisk (*) at
the end of a description indicates that you shouldn’t mess with this directory
unless you have a really good reason because it contains files that are
very important to the functioning of your system. Really, most of the base
directories should be left alone. There are sections inside them that are safe
to change, but you have to know exactly what you’re looking for before rummaging
around in there.
Table 6-1
Directory
/bin
/boot
/dev
/etc
/home
/lib
/media
/mnt
/opt
/proc
/root
/sbin
/srv
/sys
/tmp
/usr
/var
Standard / Contents in Linux
Contains
Essential commands that everyone needs to use at any time.*
The information that boots the machine, including your kernel.*
The device drivers for all the hardware that your system needs to
interface with.*
The configuration files for your system.*
The home directories for each of your users.
The libraries, or the code that many programs (and the kernel) use.*
A spot where you add temporary media, such as floppy disks and
CD-ROMs; not all distributions have this directory.
A spot where you add extra filesystem components such as networked
drives and items you aren’t permanently adding to your filesystem
but that aren’t as temporary as CD-ROMs and floppies.
The location that some people decide to use (and some programs
want to use) for installing new software packages, such as word
processors and office suites.
Current settings for your kernel (operating system).*
The superuser’s (root user’s) home directory.
The commands the system Administrator needs access to.*
Data for your system’s services (the programs that run in the
background).*
Kernel information about your hardware.*
The place where everyone and everything stores temporary files.
A complex hierarchy of additional programs and files.
The data that changes frequently, such as log files and your mail.
* Some of these directories have some equally important subdirectories, which we cover in the
upcoming sections.