Linux has no "C: drive". Everything — every file, every disk, every device — hangs off a single tree
that starts at the root directory, written /. Learn the map and you'll
always know where you are and where things live.
Run ls / to see the top-level directories, then tree /etc to explore one branch:
| Directory | Holds |
|---|---|
/ | the root — the top of the whole tree |
/home | normal users' personal folders (/home/student) |
/root | the root user's home (not the same as /!) |
/etc | system configuration files (passwd, hostname, services) |
/var | data that changes: /var/log (logs), /var/www (websites) |
/usr | installed programs & their files (/usr/bin) |
/bin, /sbin | essential command binaries |
/tmp | temporary scratch space (wiped on reboot) |
/etc = configuration, /var/log = logs,
/home = your stuff. Those three cover most day-to-day admin work.
cdcd = change directory. Watch the prompt change as you move:
| Path | Meaning |
|---|---|
/etc/hosts | Absolute — starts at /, works from anywhere |
projects/app.py | Relative — from wherever you are now |
. | the current directory |
.. | the parent directory (one level up) |
~ | your home directory (/home/student) |
- | the previous directory you were in |
cd projects → cd .. → cd /var/log → cd -
(jumps back) → cd (home). Keep an eye on the prompt after each.
/etc holds config: passwd, hostname, service settings... refers to….. = up one level; . = here; ~ = home./ and work from anywhere.