The Linux system contains thousand of files located within many directories. All directories are organized in a tree-structure like manner.

• The 'trunk' of the tree is the root directory.
• The root directory is simply identified as a "/".
• All other directories 'branch' off from the trunk.

The following lists the most common directories and their intended contents.

• / - root directory
• /home - where directories are contained for each user, example:
• /usr - pronounced 'user' and contains Linux commands and utilities
  • /bin - binary executable programs
  • /lib - program libraries, similar to Windows 'dll' files
  • /sbin - more executable programs and Linux utilities for administrative purposes
  • /doc - documentation
  • /src - source code to programs
• /tmp - temporary work files
• /etc - configuration files
  • /rc.d - scripts used during boot and shutdown process
  • /sysconfig - default configuration files
  • /sysconfig/network-scripts - network scripts
  • /sysconfig/daemons - special programs that run in background, such as print spooling
• /bin - binary executable programs that all users need
• /dev - device files that control drives, terminals and any equipment attached to the server
• /var - user specific files
  • /log - log files containing system usage and errors
  • /spool - where spooled files are stored during print spooling process
  • /mail - where Email files are stored until retrieved by client Email program
• /proc - system files
• /root - root's home directory
• /opt - other options
• /sbin - more executable programs and utilities

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