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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.

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