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Just to remind you, it is just a small introduction to
filesystem , filesystem does have many more thingsto consider and,
each filesystem have some specialized features which make it
unique.
Let, move on to the Linux File Hierarchy System (LFHS) which is
also known as, File HierarchyStandard (FSH) due to its use in
various OS
The only function of FHS is to provide with standard directory
structure so that, important systemconfiguration directories name
& Location remain same across the different flavors of Linux
and otherOS that follows the FHS standard. FHS is currenty maintain
by the Free Standard Group (FSG), a non-profit organization
Below Image shows LFHS layout
We will wrap up now, with a brief intro to all these
directories.
/bin: This directory contains the commands which can be used by
both system administrator &users.
/boot: This directory contains everything required for boot
process for e.g. kernel and initrd.
/dev: This directory holds all special files and device files
such as /dev/null, /dev/mouse,/dev/cdrom, /dev/cdrecorder etc.
/etc: This directory keeps all system configuration files on
local host. A configuration file is fileused to control program
behavior. It must be static file and not executable binary
file.
/etc/opt/: This is place to keep host specific configuration
file of 3 rd party softwareinstalled under/opt
/etc/X11/: This is place to keep all X11 host-specific
configuration. This directory isnecessary to allow local control
if/usr is mounted read only.
/etc/sgml/: configuration files for sgml are stored here
but,they can be anywhere else in
system. /etc/xml/: configuration files for xml should be stored
here but,they can be any where
else in system.
/home: Users home directory used by users to save there work and
other files. Howeverlocation of/home can vary from host-to-host so
no program should relay on this location.
/lib: This directory stores all shared library files which
required for system while booting andthen to execute binary
commands.
/media: This directory is default mount point for removable
media such as cdrom drive.
/mnt: This directory provides location for mounting any file
system temporarily and should be
un-mounted once mounted file system is no longer required.
/opt: This directory provides space to install any 3rd party
software.
/proc: This is virtual file system where in all system and
kernel process status are stored mostlyin text file format.
/root: This is home directory of root user (i.e. Administrator)
its location may be somethingelse as per developer or local
preference.
/sbin: This directory keeps all utilities and command useful for
system restore, maintenance,
http://dhavalv.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/fhs.png
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booting, etc. which can be used only by the root or users with
administrative privileges.
/srv: Site-specific data which is served by the system
/temp: Place for keeping temporary files used by programs for
read-write hence it must beavailable to all programs.
/usr: /usris the second major section of the file system./usr is
shareable, read-only data. i.e.
/usr should be shareable between various FHS-compliant hosts and
must not be written to. /usr/bin/: Just like/bin directory, this
directory also contains the commands which can
be used by both system administrator & users.
/usr/include/: This directory contains shared include files used
by compilers
/usr/lib/: Just like/lib directory, this directory stores all
shared library files whichrequired for system while booting and
then to execute binary commands.
/usr/sbin/: Just like/sbin directory, this directory keeps all
utilities and command usefulfor system restore, maintenance,
booting, etc. which can be used only by the root orusers with
administrative privileges.
/usr/share/: This is place to keep read-only architecture
independent data or anyprogram that contain data which need not be
changed ever are kept here.
/usr/src/: If you choose to install the source code during
installation this is where entiresource code of your Linux OS will
be placed.
/urs/X11R7/: This directory is reserved for the X Window System,
version 11 release 7,and related files
/usr/local/: This directory is use by the system administrator
when installing softwarelocally. It needs to be safe from being
overwritten when the system software is updated.It may be used for
programs and data that are shareable amongst a group of hosts,
butnot found in/usr.
/var: /varcontains variable data files. This includes spool
directories and files, administrativeand logging data, and
transient and temporary files
This is all you need to know for now about about fileystem and
filesystem hierarchy.To learn moreabout filesystem grab any book
that explains Operating system concepts and, you can visit here
formore details on FHS.
Please note that these FHS standards are optional, one may
follow only as much as required and scrapother things. Thus, you
will find things differ from one OS to another and, even from one
flavor ofLinux to another.
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