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Systems & Data Center · Foundational

Root Directory

The top-level directory of the Linux filesystem tree, written as a single forward slash (/), from which every other path descends.

Definition

All files and mounted filesystems in Linux appear beneath /, regardless of which physical disk they reside on. It is distinct from /root, which is the home directory of the root user.

Example

cd / moves you to the top of the tree; ls / lists bin, boot, dev, etc, home and other standard directories.

Exam tip

Do not confuse / (the root directory) with /root (the superuser's home directory).

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