Finding your way in the filesystem
The layout of the Linux filesystem is like all other members of the Unix family: very different from Windows. There is no concept of drive letters. Instead, there is a root filesystem (/
), and everything else is available on the root filesystem, including other mounted filesystems.
In this section, you'll find out where you can find files, and why they are there.
File hierarchy system
In 2001, the Linux Foundation started the Linux Standard Base Project (LSB). Based on the POSIX specification, they created a project to develop and promote a set of open standards to increase compatibility among Linux distributions and enable software applications to run on any compliant system.
The Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS) is a part of this project and defines the directory structure and directory contents. Of course, there are still some minor differences between distributions regarding the directory structure, but even on distributions that are not willing to fully...