Download Red Hat Linux 9 Red Hat Linux Getting Started Guide

Appendix D.
System Directories
This is a list of the primary Red Hat Linux system directories. Each directory is described briefly. For
additional directory information, refer to the Red Hat Linux Customization Guide and the Red Hat
Linux Reference Guide.
• /bin/
— Used to store user commands. The directory /usr/bin/ also stores user commands.
— Location of many system commands, such as shutdown. The directory /usr/sbin/
also contains many system commands.
• /sbin/
• /root/
— The home directory of root, the superuser.
— This directory typically contains the mount points for file systems mounted after the
system is booted. For example, the default CD-ROM mount point is /mnt/cdrom/.
• /mnt/
• /boot/
— Contains the kernel and other files used during system startup.
• /lost+found/ —
Used by fsck to place orphaned files (files without names).
— Contains many library files used by programs in /bin/ and /sbin/. The directory
/usr/lib/ contains more library files for user applications.
• /lib/
• /dev/
— Stores device files.
• /etc/
— Contains configuration files and directories.
• /var/
— For variable (or constantly changing) files, such as log files and the printer spool.
— Contains files and directories directly relating to users of the system, such as programs
and supporting library files.
• /usr/
— A virtual file system (not actually stored on the disk) that contains system information
used by certain programs.
• /proc/
• /initrd/ — A directory
modules during bootup.
that is used to mount the initrd.img image file and load needed device
Warning
Do not delete the /initrd/ directory. You will be unable to boot your computer if you delete the
directory and then reboot your Red Hat Linux system.
• /tmp/ — The temporary
and write access.
• /home/
directory for users and programs. /tmp/ allows all users on a system read
— Default location of user home directories.
— Directory where optional files and programs are stored. This directory is used mainly by
third-party developers for easy installation and uninstallation of their software packages.
• /opt/