Hey everyone! I'm really trying to comprehend how the Linux file system works, but I'm still a bit lost. I know that in Windows, drives are labeled individually, like C: for the main OS. In contrast, Linux uses a single root directory and has folders like /dev and /etc. I understand that I can mount drives anywhere, but what's the point of that? I would really appreciate if someone could explain it in simple terms since my experience with Windows is very basic!
5 Answers
Regarding mounting – it's about flexibility! For instance, if you have a user with a massive home directory filled with files, you can mount a large storage drive directly in their directory so they can access everything easily. It allows customization based on the user's needs, which is pretty awesome!
Honestly, I think the Linux filesystem is more user-friendly compared to Windows! You have a clear hierarchy under the root directory, and everything is organized systematically. That's a big plus for usability!
Haha, right? It’s so much easier than navigating through all those Local folders in Windows. I find it super frustrating that to access a user's home in Windows, you have to create shortcuts and such.
The concept of the Linux file system goes way back to Multics, which was designed for multi-user environments. Unlike Windows, which started with a simpler drive-letter system because of previous hardware limitations, Linux always had a more organized hierarchical structure. It helps you store your files in designated places consistently, so you know where to find them!
Windows kind of brings confusion with its drive letters; it inherited that from older systems. If a drive was properly mounted in Linux, you wouldn’t worry about whether DISK1 becomes F: or G: when you plug it in. Instead, it will always show up in the same spot, like /media/$USER/DISK1. So you know exactly where everything is!
The Linux folder structure follows the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard, which gives meaning to the different directories. It’s a standardized way that all Linux distributions usually stick to. This makes it easier to navigate across all systems used in Linux.
True! But we do need to watch out for mount failures after reboot. That can lead to a confusing search for files!