Page 149 - DCAP106_OPERATING_SYSTEM_TOOLS

Operating System Tools

Notes file system layout (but all consistent) so the standard is in need of updating. Of course, a file
system is always stored on media (be it a hard drive, a CD or a memory fragment). In this unit,
we will discuss the anatomy of a file, various file search utilities and the concept of navigating
file system.
9.1 Concept of the File System

We can define a file system as the way in which the computer stores and retrieves all your files.
These files include your programs, documents, help files, music, games, etc. In the Windows
world we have the concept of files and folders. A folder (also known as a directory) is nothing
more than a container for different files so that you can organise them better. In Linux, the same
concept holds true. That is, you have files, and you have folders in which these files are organised.
In Linux, files are stored according to the function performed by them. Alternatively, all help
files for all programs will go into one folder made just for help files, all the executable (.exe) files
will go into one folder for executable programs, all programs configuration files will go into a
folder meant for configuration files. This layout has a few significant advantages as you always
know where to look for a particular file.

Example: To find the configuration file for a program, you need to find it in the actual
program’s installation directory.

In Linux, everything is configurable to the smallest level. Thus if you want to install a program
and store all its files in one folder, you can, but it will just make things complicated. Also, it will
miss out on the benefits of a file system that groups files by the function they perform rather than
randomly.
Linux uses a hierarchical file system. Alternatively, there is no concept of ‘drives’ such as c: or d:.
Everything begins from what is known as the ‘/’ directory (root directory). This is the top most
level of the file system and all folders are placed at some level from here. As a result of files being
stored according to their function on any Linux system, you will see many of the same folders.
These are ‘standard’ folders that have been pre-designated for a particular purpose.

Example: The ‘bin’ directory will store all executable programs.

Notes Remember that in Linux a forward slash (e.g.: /bin ) is used. This means that you
are telling the system where the directory is in relation to the root or top level folder.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:

1. A file system is the way in which the computer stores and retrieves all your ..............................
2. A .............................. is a container for different files so that you can organise them better.
3. Linux uses an .............................. file system.

9.2 Anatomy of a File

We consider file system as a tree-shaped structure. The root of the tree is identified by the slash
character: “/”. The root of the tree is coincidentally known as the file system root, but it is always

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