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Understanding the Root Folder in Linux: A Beginner’s Guide

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When you first step into the world of Linux, one of the most important concepts to grasp is the root folder, also known as the root directory. Whether you’re navigating files, installing software, or managing system resources, the root folder is at the very heart of Linux’s file system. What is the Root Folder? In Linux, everything starts from a single point: the root folder, represented by a simple forward slash (/). Think of it as the base of a tree. All other directories, files, devices, and mounts branch out from /. Unlike Windows, which has different drives like C:\ or D:\, Linux organizes everything under this one unified hierarchy. Key Characteristics 1. Representation: Written as /. Example path: /home/user/Documents. 2. Ownership: The root folder itself is owned by the root user (the superuser in Linux). Normal users usually don’t have permission to modify system-critical files under /. 3. Not the Same as the Root User’s Home: The root user’s home directory is /roo...

The Tree Structure in Linux

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The main part of the below image is a tree diagram showing the top-level directories (folders) in a typical Linux system. The root of this tree is the / (root) directory. Beneath the / directory, you can see these subdirectories:  * /bin: Contains essential user commands and executable files (binaries) that are needed for the system to boot up and for basic system operations. Examples include ls, cp, mv, and bash.  * /boot: Holds files required to boot the system, such as the Linux kernel (vmlinuz) and initial RAM disk (initrd).  * /dev: This is a special directory containing "device files" that represent physical and virtual hardware devices (e.g., hard drives, USB drives, terminals).  * /etc: Stores system-wide configuration files. This is a very important directory for system administrators.  * /home: This is where users' personal directories are located. Each user typically has their own subdirectory here (e.g., /home/alice, /home/bob, /home/eve).  * /l...