Linux Terminologies Issue #5
Ever since I migrated and used Linux Mint for my everyday computing, I seldom navigate and explore from it’s directory structure. Why? Well to tell you the truth, I still find it difficult to understand what are the meaning of those directory because it would normally have 3-4 letter name (and besides I didn’t really pay much attention that much because I tend to focus more on pimping my desktop). As an end result, I save my files on my Windows XP partition in which I don’t like. But I am very thankful to UbuntuGeek because he answered my 2-month old query about the meaning of these directory structures in Linux. Here they are:
- /bin – binary applications (most of your executable files)
- /boot – files required to boot (such as the kernel, etc)
- /dev – your devices (everything from drives to displays)
- /etc – just about every configuration file for your system
- /etc/profile.d – contains scripts that are run by /etc/profile upon login.
- /etc/rc.d – contains a number of shell scripts that are run on bootup at different run levels. There is also typically an rc.inet1 script to set up networking (in Slackwar), an rc.modules script to load modular device drivers, and an rc.local script that can be edited to run commands desired by the administrator, along the lines of autoexec.bat in DOS.
- /etc/rc.d/init.d – contains most of the initialization scripts themselves on an rpm-based system.
- /etc/rc.d/rc*.d – where “*’’ is a number corresponding to the default run level. Contains files for services to be started and stopped at that run level. On rpm-based systems, these files are symbolic links to the initialization scripts themselves, which are in /etc/rc.d/init.d.
- /etc/skel – directory containing several example or skeleton initialization shells. Often contains subdirectories and files used to populate a new user’s home directory.
- /etc/X11 – configuration files for the X Window system
- /home – locally stored user files and folders
- /lib – system libraries (similar to Program Files)
- /lost+found – lost and found for lost files
- /media – mounted (or loaded) devices such as cdroms, digital cameras, etc.
- /mnt – mounted file systems
- /opt – location for “optionally” installed programs
- /proc – dynamic directory including information about and listing of processes
- /root – “home” folder for the root user
- /sbin – system-only binaries (see /bin)
- /sys – contains information about the system
- /tmp – temporary files
- /usr – applications mainly for regular users
- /var – mainly logs, databases, etc.
- /usr/local/bin – the place to put your own programs. They will not be overwritten with upgrades.
- /usr/share/doc – documentation.
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Please to not forget about /poop, the directory in which the kernel takes a dump, and /billgatesdong, where Bill Gates likes to stick his glistening cockpiece into the kernel of Linux.
Also, it’s important to remember the all-pervasive /qqqqqqqqq…. directory, in which an infinite number of Qs concentrate, as they are wont to do, as well as the /puppies directory, which gives birth to puppies if you touch a file in there.
All in all, the Linux directory structure is a place full of magical powers and wizardry that’d make Gandalf cry like a gangsta rappa without any blinganation.