Linux Root Hierarchy

/lib

This directory houses kernel modules, security information, and the shared library images, which are files that programmers generally use to share code in the libraries rather than creating copies of this code in their programs. This makes the programs smaller and, in some cases, they can run faster using this structure.

/dev

Files in _____ reference system devices. They access system devices and resources, such as the hard disks, mice, printers, consoles, modems, memory, and CD/DVD drives. UNIX/Linux versions include many device files in the /dev directory to accommodate separate vendor devices that can be attached to the computer.

/usr

Frequently on the _____ partition, this directory houses software offered to users. The software might be accounting programs, manufacturing programs, programs for research applications, or office software.

/media

In newer distributions of UNIX/Linux, mount points for removable storage are in the _____ directory, which is a relatively new recommendation of the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS). Modern Linux distributions include both _____ and /mnt directories, but automated software to detect insertion of a CD/DVD typically uses /media. Linux users and programmers are often encouraged to use /media instead of /mnt as a way to follow the newer FHS recommendation.

/tmp

Many programs need a temporary place to store data during processing cycles. The traditional location for these files is the _____ directory.

/mnt

Mount points for temporary mounts by the system administrator reside in the _____ directory. A temporary mount is used to mount a removable storage medium, such as a CD/DVD or USB/flash storage so that it can be easily unmounted for quick removal.

/bin

The _____ directory contains binaries, or executables, which are the programs needed to start the system and perform other essential system tasks. This directory holds many programs that all users need to work with UNIX/Linux.

/etc

The _____ directory contains configuration files that the system uses when the computer starts. Most of this directory is reserved for the system administrator, and it contains system-critical...

/var

The _____ directory holds subdirectories that often change in size. These subdirectories contain files such as error logs and other system performance logs that are useful to the system administrator. A subdirectory of _____ can contain incoming mail from the network, for example. Another example is, which is the default directory for holding print files until they are fully transmitted to a printer.

/sbin

The _____ directory is reserved for the system administrator. Programs that start the system, programs needed for file system repair, and essential network programs are stored here.

/root

The _____ directory is the home directory for the root user—the system administrator.

/boot

The _____ directory normally contains the files needed by the bootstrap loader (the utility that starts the operating system); it also contains the kernel (operating system) images.

/proc

The _____ directory occupies no space on the disk; it is a virtual file system allocated in memory only.Files in _____ refer to various processes running on the system as well as details about the operating system kernel.

/home

The _____ is used to offer disk space for users, such as on a system that has multiple user accounts.