Linux File System

Think of the Linux file system like a well-organized library. Just as a library has different sections for books, magazines, and reference materials, Linux organizes its files in a structured way. Unlike Windows which uses drive letters (C:, D:, etc.), Linux starts everything from a single root directory, represented by a forward slash (/).

Basic Structure of the Linux File System

Let's explore the main directories you'll encounter, using our library analogy:

Your Personal Space: The Home Directory

As a student, you'll spend most of your time in your home directory. It's like having your own study room in the library. Here's a typical structure you might create:

/home/cis120/c120001/
├── assignments/         # Class assignments
├── labs/                # Lab exercises
├── documents/         # Class notes and assignments
├── downloads/         # Files you've downloaded
└── pictures/          # Your photos and images

Basic Navigation

Let's practice some basic navigation using commands (we will learn more about these commands later)

# See where you are
pwd

# Go to your home directory
cd ~

# View the structure of your current directory
tree -L 2

Common Operations

Here are some everyday tasks you'll perform:

• Finding Your Location: Use pwd to see where you are
• Moving Around: Use cd to change directories
• Viewing Contents: Use tree to see the structure

Best Practices

To keep your files organized and easy to find:

• Use simple, descriptive names for directories
• Keep related files together in the same directory
• Avoid spaces in directory and filenames (use underscores instead)
• Create a logical structure that makes sense to you
• Regularly clean up older unused files

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Getting lost in deep directory structures
• Not knowing your current location
• Using inconsistent naming conventions
• Forgetting that Linux is case-sensitive
• Not organizing files from the start

Now that you have a basic understanding of the Linux file system, let's move on to the next section where we'll learn how to navigate and manage files using commands.