A folder or directory in Linux?

If you are used to the term "folder" from Windows, Linux often uses the term "directory". Unlike a folder, which in the real world is used to store multiple files, a directory is an index that helps you quickly find the data you need. So what is the correct name in terms of Linux OS - folder or directory?

Types of directories in Linux

There are quite a number of different directories in Linux:

1. root (/): the main directory of the file system in Linux, which contains all other directories. All files and directories start from the root directory.
2. /bin: this is where the main utilities and commands that are needed to run the system are located.
3. /sbin: contains system utilities that are used by administrators to manage the system.
4. /usr: contains all applications and files that are available to users of the system.
5. /var: stores data that changes frequently, such as system logs or file caches.
6. /tmp: stores temporary files that are created by programs during their execution.
7. /home: stores the home directories of the system's users.stores system configuration files.
8. /dev: contains devices that are used by the system for data input and output.
9. /opt: houses applications that do not come with the base Linux installation.

What is a directory for?

A directory in Linux (or file system) is used to store all files and directories on a computer. It is a hierarchical structure where each directory can contain other directories and/or files.

A directory in Linux has several functions:

1. File organization: allows files to be organized in different categories for easy retrieval and access.
2. Access control: plays a role in controlling access to files and directories on a computer.
3. Backup: usually used when backing up data to keep all directories and files on a computer.
4. File sharing: used to share files between computers and devices.

Thus, a directory in Linux is an important part of the operating system that provides storage and management of files on a computer.

What is the correct term for it?

The term "directory" came to Linux from the Unix world, where everything is a file, including directories. Thus, directories do not store files, but contain data about their location on the disk. This is why the use of the term "directory" is more preferred in Linux. It is explicitly specified in terminal commands, for example, the ls command outputs the letter"d" for directories.

However, in the Linux GUI, directories are visualized as folders in which files are stored. Therefore, you can use whatever term you are comfortable with, but it is worth remembering that the term "directory" is more preferable in Linux.