HTG(HowToGeek) Explains: The Linux Directory Structure Explained
If you’re coming from Windows, the Linux file system structure can
seem particularly alien. The C:\ drive and drive letters are gone,
replaced by a / and cryptic-sounding directories, most of which have
three letter names.
The Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS) defines the structure of file
systems on Linux and other UNIX-like operating systems. However, Linux
file systems also contain some directories that aren’t yet defined by
the standard.
/ – The Root Directory
Everything on your Linux system is located under the / directory,
known as the root directory. You can think of the / directory as being
similar to the C:\ directory on Windows – but this isn’t strictly true,
as Linux doesn’t have drive letters. While another partition would be
located at D:\ on Windows, this other partition would appear in another
folder under / on Linux.
/bin – Essential User Binaries
The /bin directory contains the essential user binaries (programs)
that must be present when the system is mounted in single-user mode.
Applications such as Firefox are stored in /usr/bin, while important
system programs and utilities such as the bash shell are located in
/bin. The /usr directory may be stored on another partition – placing
these files in the /bin directory ensures the system will have these
important utilities even if no other file systems are mounted. The /sbin
directory is similar – it contains essential system administration
binaries.
