DIRECTORY STRUCTURE OF LINUX OS
The directory structure of a Linux operating system follows a hierarchical tree-like structure, often referred to as the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS). It defines the organization and layout of files and directories in a Linux system. Here is an overview of the key directories:
1. **/ (Root)**: The root directory is the top-level directory in the hierarchy. All other directories and files are contained within it.
2. **/bin (Binaries)**: This directory holds essential executable files (binary executables) that are available to all users. It contains common commands such as ls, cp, mv, and more.
3. **/boot (Bootloader files)**: The /boot directory contains files related to the system's boot process, including the Linux kernel, initial RAM disk (initrd), boot configuration files, and bootloaders like GRUB.
4. **/dev (Devices)**: In Linux, devices are represented as files. The /dev directory contains special device files that represent physical and virtual devices such as hard drives, USB devices, terminals, and printers.
5. **/etc (System Configuration)**: The /etc directory contains system-wide configuration files. It includes various configuration files for services, network settings, user authentication, and more. Administrators typically modify these files to customize system behavior.
6. **/home (Home directories)**: Each user on a Linux system has a home directory located in /home. It is named after the user and serves as their personal space to store files, documents, and user-specific configuration settings.
7. **/lib (Libraries)**: The /lib directory contains system libraries—shared files that provide functions and resources to applications and other programs.
8. **/media (Removable Media)**: When you connect removable media like USB drives or optical discs, they usually appear in the /media directory, providing a mount point to access their contents.
9. **/mnt (Temporary Mount Points)**: The /mnt directory is used as a temporary mount point for manually mounted filesystems. It provides a location to mount additional storage devices or network shares.
10. **/opt (Optional Packages)**: The /opt directory is used for installing optional software packages. Applications and add-on packages often install themselves in their respective subdirectories within /opt.
11. **/proc (Process Information)**: The /proc directory is a virtual filesystem that provides information about running processes. It contains pseudo-files that allow access to details such as system configuration, hardware, and process information.
12. **/root (Root Home)**: This is the home directory for the root user, the system administrator. It is not the same as the root (/) directory. The root user has full privileges and can access and modify any part of the system.
13. **/sbin (System Binaries)**: The /sbin directory contains system binaries—essential executables required for system administration tasks. These executables are typically used by the root user.
14. **/tmp (Temporary Files)**: The /tmp directory is used for temporary files created by applications or the system. It is generally cleared upon reboot and can be accessed by all users.
15. **/usr (User Binaries and Libraries)**: The /usr directory contains user-related binaries, libraries, documentation, and other data. It is subdivided into several subdirectories, such as /usr/bin (user binaries), /usr/lib (user libraries), and /usr/share (shared data).
16. **/var (Variable Data)**: The /var directory contains variable files that change during system operation, such as logs, spool files, and temporary data generated by various programs and services.
These are just some of the main directories you'll find in a typical Linux filesystem.


