Linux File system in Nutshell

The Linux file system is a hierarchical structure that organizes data on a Linux system. Here's a brief overview of key components and concepts:

1. Root Directory (/):

   • The top-level directory in the Linux file system.

   • All other directories and files are subdirectories or files of the root directory.

2. Directories:

   • Directories are folders that can contain other directories or files.

   • Common directories include /bin (binary executables), /home (user home directories), /etc (system configuration files), and more.

3. Files:

   • Files are stored within directories and can contain data or programs.

   • File names are case-sensitive in Linux.

4. Path:

   • A path is the location of a file or directory in the file system.

   • Absolute paths start from the root directory (e.g., /home/user/file.txt).

   • Relative paths are based on the current working directory (e.g., ../documents/myfile.txt).

5. File System Hierarchy Standard (FHS):

   • FHS is a standard that defines the directory structure and organization in Linux.

   • It helps maintain consistency across different Linux distributions.

6. /bin and /sbin:

   • /bin contains essential user command binaries.

   • /sbin holds binaries for system administration (usually for root).

7. /home:

   • User home directories are stored in /home.

   • Each user typically has a subdirectory with their username (e.g., /home/user).

8. /etc:

   • Configuration files for the system and installed applications are stored in /etc.

9. /var:

   • /var contains variable data, such as logs (/var/log), spool files, and temporary files.

10. /tmp:

    • /tmp is a directory for temporary files that are cleared on system reboot.

11. /dev:

    • /dev contains device files representing hardware devices (e.g., /dev/sda for the first hard drive).

12. /proc and /sys:

    • /proc and /sys provide information about kernel parameters and system hardware.

13. Mount Points:

    • Additional storage devices or partitions are mounted on directories.

    • For example, the /mnt directory can be a common mount point.

14. File Permissions:

    • Linux uses a permission system (read, write, execute) for files and directories.

    • Permissions are set for the owner, group, and others.

15. Symbolic Links:

    • Symbolic links (symlinks) are shortcuts or references to files or directories.

    • They can be created with the ln command.

This overview provides a nutshell view of the Linux file system. Understanding the structure is fundamental for navigating and managing files and directories in a Linux environment.