What is the Linux File System?
The Linux file system follows a hierarchical directory structure where everything—directories, devices, and even hardware components—is treated as a file. Unlike Windows, which organizes storage using drive letters like C: and D:, Linux operates under a unified structure with a single root directory (/) that encompasses all files and directories.
Linux File System Hierarchy
The Linux file system follows the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS), which defines a consistent structure for directories and files. Below is an overview of essential directories with examples:
1. / (Root Directory)
The top-level directory from which all other directories branch out. Only the root user has full access to modify critical system files.
Example:
Lists all top-level directories.
2. /bin (Binary Executables)
Contains essential system binaries (commands) like ls, cp, mv, rm, and cat.
Example:
Lists all essential system binaries.
3. /boot (Boot Loader Files)
Stores files needed for booting the system, including the Linux kernel (vmlinuz), bootloader configuration, and initial RAM disk (initrd).
Example:
Displays all boot-related files.
4. /dev (Device Files)
Contains files representing hardware devices (e.g., /dev/sda for the first hard disk, /dev/tty for terminals).
Example:
Lists available storage devices.
5. /etc (Configuration Files)
Stores system-wide configuration files and scripts.
Example:
Displays system user account details.
6. /home (User Home Directories)
Contains personal directories for users (e.g., /home/user1, /home/user2).
Example:
Lists all user directories.
7. /lib & /lib64 (Shared Libraries)
Stores essential shared libraries required by system programs.
Example:
Lists shared C library files.
8. /media & /mnt (Mount Points)
/media: Used for mounting external devices like USB drives and CDs.
/mnt: Temporary mount point for manual mounting of filesystems.
Example:
This mounts an external drive and lists its contents.
9. /opt (Optional Software)
Contains software installed by third-party vendors.
Example:
Lists installed optional software.
10. /proc (Process Information)
Virtual filesystem that provides information about running processes and system resources.
Example:
Displays CPU details.
11. /root (Root User’s Home Directory)
Home directory for the root user.
Example:
Lists files in the root user's home directory.
12. /run (Runtime Data)
Stores volatile runtime information like process IDs.
Example:
Lists runtime data files.
13. /sbin (System Binaries)
Contains essential system administration commands.
Example:
lists of administrative commands.
14. /srv (Service Data)
Stores data related to services like web servers (/srv/www).
Example:
Lists stored service data.
15. /sys (System Information)
Virtual filesystem providing real-time access to kernel and hardware information.
Example:
Lists a Displays system-related files.
16. /tmp (Temporary Files)
Used for storing temporary files.
Example:
Lists temporary files.
17. /usr (User Binaries and Libraries)
Contains user applications, libraries, documentation, and source code.
Example:
Lists user command binaries.
18. /var (Variable Data)
Stores variable files like logs and caches.
Example:
Lists system logs.
File Types in Linux
Regular Files (-************************): Text, binary, and executable files.
Directories (d************************): Containers that hold files.
Symbolic Links (l************************): Pointers to other files.
Special Files:
Character devices (c): /dev/tty
Block devices (b): /dev/sda
Named pipes (p), sockets (s)
Important Linux commands for File Operations with Examples
Viewing Files:
cat filename
less filename
Copying Files:
cp source.txt destination.txt
Moving/Renaming Files:
mv oldname.txt newname.txt
Deleting Files:
rm filename
Changing File Permissions:
chmod 755 script.sh
Changing File Ownership:
chown user:group filename
Creating a Symbolic Link:
ln -s /path/to/file linkname
Finding Files:
find / -name "file.txt"
Checking Disk Usage:
df -h
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