Red Hat LINUX 7.2 Manual page 189

Section A.1:Introduction
A.1.10 File System Structure
Every operating system has a method of storing its files and directories so that it can keep track of
additions, modifications, and other changes. In Linux, every file is stored on the system with a unique
name within directories which can also hold other files and subdirectories.
You might think of the system as a tree-like structure, in which directories "branch off." Those direc-
tories may contain, or be the "parent" of, other directories which may, in turn, hold files or directories
of their own.
There would not be a tree without a root, and the same is true for the Linux filesystem. No matter how
far away the branches, everything is connected to the root, which is represented as a single forward
slash (/).
Red Hat Linux uses the term "root" in several different ways, which might be confusing to new users.
There is the root account (the superuser, who has permission to do anything), the root account's login
directory (/root) and the root directory for the entire filesystem (/). When you are speaking to
someone and using the term "root," be sure you know which root you are talking about.
Other Linux distributions exist, and your Red Hat Linux system is probably
compatible with them because of the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS).
The FHS guidelines help to standardize the way system programs and files
are stored on all Linux systems.
To read more about the FHS, turn to the chapter on system administration
in the Red Hat Linux Reference Guide. You can also visit the FHS website:
http://www.pathname.com/fhs.
Try logging into your user account (which will help prevent disastrous mistakes), and taking a look
around.
First, take a look at the root directory. This will help give a larger picture of where things are.
At the shell prompt, type:
cd /
You will see a prompt that looks like:
[newuser@localhost /]$
Now, take a look at which directories "branch off" the root directory by typing:
ls
What is the FHS?
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