If you are used to the term "folder" from Windows, then the term "directory" is often used in Linux. 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. How is it correct to call a Linux folder or directory in the context of the OS?
There are quite a large number of different directories in Linux:
A directory in Linux (or a file system) is used to store all files and directories on the computer. It is a hierarchical structure where each directory can contain other directories and/or files.
A directory in Linux has several functions:
Thus, the directory in Linux is an important part of the operating system that provides storage and management of files on the computer.
The term "directory" came to Linux from the Unix world, where everything is a file, including directories. Thus, the directories do not store files, but contain data about their location on disk. Therefore, the use of the term "directory" is more preferable 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 where files are stored. Therefore, you can use any term that is convenient for you, but it is worth remembering that in Linux it is more preferable to use the term "directory".