Linux File System Structure

Linux organizes everything into a unified directory tree.

Unlike Windows, Linux does not use drive letters like:

C:\
D:\

Everything starts from the root directory:

Important Linux Directories

The top-level directory of the entire filesystem.

Everything exists underneath it.

/home

Contains user home directories.

Example:

/home/john

Stores:

/bin

Contains essential commands:

ls
cp
mv
cat

/etc

Contains configuration files.

Examples:

/etc/passwd
/etc/ssh/sshd_config

Very important for administrators.

/var

Contains changing data:

Examples:

/var/log

/usr

Contains installed applications and libraries.

/tmp

Temporary storage area.

Files here may be deleted automatically.

In Linux:

“Everything is a file”

Devices, processes, sockets, and hardware often appear as files.

This philosophy simplifies automation and scripting.