Linux File System Basics
File system of Linux is very important to know for every user from beginner to advance user . the file system of Linux is a collection of Files , configurations and directories in a Logical Manner . it also stores the disk and partitions details.as we also know all file system need some namespace and a organizational structure that may include the naming method OS file with the length of characters and the character that may be used for naming purpose. after naming the another important aspect of file is the metadata structure which may defined all the logical structure of the file system. the third one requirement of file system in API (application Programmable Interface) that may used access the file system functions for manipulating the file system objects as files or directories. security of file system is also a very important criteria which may define the access level and the rights of the user to access the file system and make changes to it.
file system of Linux may divided in 2 parts the first one is consist of a virtual file system which is mainly controlled by the kernel as per the instruction of the user through the syscall function. where as the secondary file system consist of device drivers ( disk and networks).
Linux file system directory structure is like tree like hierarchy.
Directory Definition
(/) root directory : it is the top level directory that contains the all directory needed for boot of the system.after the booting process all sub directory are mounted as the defined mount point and standard process.
/boot directory: it contains the all file related to the boot along with configuration file and kernel executable.
/bin directory: it contains all users executable files.
/dev directory: this directory contains the files related to hardware device connected . and all as a file that may be accessed by the user and system for operations. this directory don't contains any device driver.
/etc directory : Local Configuration file of the system are stored here.
/home directory: it contains the user files and each user may have there own sub-directories it it.
/media directory: This directory contains the removable devices connected to the system like pen-drive or memory cards.
/mnt directory: A temporary mount point for the standard file system not the removable one may used for rescue and repairing of the system by root user.
/root directory : home directory for the root user.
/proc directory: It contains all process marked as files by there process number.
/var directory: it contains the log files and other user level database files.
/usr directory: it contains binary executable and man file in shared read-only mode.
/temp directory : directory for all temporary files used by the system and user.
/sbin directory: system bin file storage and contains system binary executable files.
/opt directory: the vendor specific files and executable storage location.