Root directory in linux command

What is Root Directory in Linux? [The Ultimate Guide]

The root directory in Linux is the topmost-level directory in the file management system. It is represented by a forward slash (/) and contains all files and directories in the Linux operating system. Furthermore, the root directory serves as the base for all other directories and files in the system. In this article, I will demonstrate a complete overview of what is root directory in Linux.

What is Root Directory in Linux?

The root directory is the starting point for all user directories. In simple words, all the files and directories are located under the root directory in Linux. Moreover, the root directory is the only directory that is guaranteed to exist on the system, and all other directories are created as subdirectories of the root directory.

Security Attributes of the Root Directory

The root directory plays a crucial role in the security of the Linux system. Some security attributes of the root directory are given below.

• Permission: The permission of the root directory determines which users and groups can access the root directory and what actions they can perform on the root directory. By default, only the root user has full access to the root directory.
• Ownership: The ownership of the root directory is typically set to the root user. This ensures that only the authorized user can modify the contents of the directory.
• Secure mount options: The mount options used to mount the root file system can affect its security. However, By utilizing appropriate mount options the root user can secure the root file system from unauthorized access.
• Logging: The root directory is a common location for all kinds of log files, including system logs and application logs. If you log in properly, it will help you to detect and respond to security incidents.

Difference Between Root Directory & Root User’s Home Directory

The root directory (/) is the mother of all files and directories of the Linux system. Moreover, the root directory (/) contains several subdirectories named /bin, /boot, /dev, /etc, /home, /lib, /mnt, /opt, /root, /sbin, /temp, /var, etc. On the other hand, the /root directory is the home directory of the root user who is the most powerful user having ultimate administrative control over the entire Linux system. In addition to that, all users with root privileges can access the root directory, while only the root user can access the /root which is the home directory of the root user.

Subdirectories of Root Directory in Linux

Several subdirectories exist in the root directory. Some of them are listed below.

Subdirectories	Description
/bin	It contains the essential binary files which are necessary for booting the system and running the basic commands.
/boot	It contains the files needed for booting the system.
/dev	It contains the device files for system devices such as hard drives, printers, and input-output devices.
/etc	It contains system configuration files for various applications and services.
/home	It contains the home directories of regular users.
/lib	It contains the shared library files needed to run the programs on the system.
/mnt	It is typically used as a mount point for temporarily mounting filesystems such as external hard drives, USB drives, and network file systems.
/opt	It contains optional application software packages installed by the system administrator.
/root	It contains the home directory of the root user.
/sbin	It contains system binaries that are used for system administration tasks.
/temp	It contains temporary files created by various programs and services on the system.
/var	It contains variable data files such as log files and temporary files created by various programs and services on the system.

Examples Associated With the Root Directory

The root directory is an essential part of the Linux operating system. Some of the practical examples associated with the root directory are given below.

Example 1: Modifying Root Directory

You can easily modify the root directory. Here, I will modify the root directory creating a new directory named linuxsimply inside the root directory. To do so, follow the below procedures.

Steps to follow:

➊ Open the Ubuntu terminal.

➋ Then, copy the following command into the command prompt then press the ENTER button to list the contents inside the root directory

➌ Now, type the following command into the terminal then press the ENTER button to create a directory named linuxsimply inside the root directory

➍ Then again, copy the following command into the command prompt then press the ENTER button to list the contents inside the root directory

I have modified the root directory creating a new directory named linuxsimply inside the root directory, as illustrated in the following image.

Example 2: Navigating Through the Root Directory

You can easily navigate from one directory to another directory inside the root directory. Here, I will navigate to the home directory from the root directory and then I will print the files or folders the /home directory contains. To do so, follow the below procedures.

Steps to follow:

➊ Open the Ubuntu terminal.

➋ Then, copy the following command into the command prompt then press the ENTER button to list the contents inside the root directory

➌ Now, type the following command into the terminal then press the ENTER button to navigate to the home directory

➍ Then, copy the following command into the command prompt then press the ENTER button to list the contents inside the home directory

I have navigated through the root directory and printed the contents of the home directory, as shown in the following image.

Example 3: User Data are Saved in /home Directory

You can see the data of all users from the /home directory. Here, I will print all the user directories from the /home directory. To do so, follow the below procedures.

Steps to follow:

➊ Open the Ubuntu terminal.

➋ Then, copy the following command into the terminal

➌ Now, tap the ENTER button.

The following image shows that I have printed all user directories’ names inside the /home directory.

Conclusion

In this article, I have tried to discuss the root directory in detail. And demonstrated some examples associated with the root directory. By going through this article, you will gain the skill of finding necessary files or directories inside the root directory properly.

Similar Readings

• What is Root User in Linux? [A Complete Guide]
• What is Root Partition in Linux? [A Complete Guide]
• What is Sudo in Linux [A Detailed Review]
• What is Root Access in Linux [With Practical Examples]

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Master the Linux cd Command: How to Navigate to the Root Directory

Learn how to navigate to the root directory in Linux using the cd command. Our step-by-step guide will help you understand absolute and relative paths, move up one directory level, switch to the root user, and use the cd command in bash scripting. Start mastering the Linux cd command today!

• Understanding Absolute and Relative Paths in Linux
• Moving to the Root Directory
• Bash Scripting: cd (change directory) variations
• Navigating Up One Directory Level
• Switching to the Root User
• Using cd Command in Bash Scripting
• Other helpful code examples for navigating to the root directory in Linux using the cd command
• Conclusion
• How do I cd to the root directory?
• How do I get back to root in Linux?
• How do I switch to root user?

As a Linux user, changing directories using the cd command is a common task. However, navigating to the root directory requires an understanding of the correct syntax. In this blog post, we will guide you step-by-step on how to change directory to the root directory in Linux using the cd command.

Understanding Absolute and Relative Paths in Linux

Before we delve into how to navigate to the root directory, it’s important to understand the difference between absolute and relative paths in linux .

• Absolute paths start at the top with / (referred to as root) and then look down for the requested directory.
• Relative paths start from the current directory.
• The slash (/) symbol only means “root directory” when at the beginning of a path.

Knowing the difference between absolute and relative path s is crucial when navigating through the Linux file system.

Moving to the Root Directory

To move to the root directory, you can simply use the command “cd /”. This command will take you directly to the root directory, no matter where you are in the file system.

Typing “cd” by itself returns you to your home directory. Alternatively, you can also use “cd ~” or “cd $HOME” to move to your home directory. The default DIR is the value of the HOME shell variable.

Bash Scripting: cd (change directory) variations

bash script that demonstrates a number of variations on the cd ( change directory) command Duration: 15:54

Navigating Up One Directory Level

To navigate up one directory level, use “cd ..”. This command will take you up one level in the file system hierarchy. You must have execute (search) permission in the specified directory, otherwise, you will not be able to move to that directory.

Using “cd” on Linux/Unix systems, it is possible to switch to the previous working directory by using the command “cd -”. This command moves to the previous working directory, which can be useful when switching between directories.

Switching to the Root User

To switch to the root user, use the command “sudo su -”. This command will switch you to the root user and give you access to all files and directories on the system. The sudo command is used to execute a command with root privileges.

It’s important to note that the Open Group is responsible for the POSIX standard, which defines the behavior of Unix-like operating systems, including Linux.

Using cd Command in Bash Scripting

The cd command is a built-in shell command that can be used in bash scripting. It is case-sensitive, so make sure to type it correctly.

Using “cd ~user_name” changes the working directory to the home directory of the specified user. This can be useful when navigating to another user’s home directory or when writing scripts that need to access files in a specific user’s home directory.

Other helpful code examples for navigating to the root directory in Linux using the cd command

In Shell , for instance, linux cd to root code sample

Conclusion

In summary, changing directories using the cd command is a useful skill for Linux users. When navigating to the root directory, it is important to remember the correct syntax and permissions. By following the steps outlined in this post, you will be able to navigate to the root directory with ease. Additionally, we have provided helpful points to deepen your understanding of the cd command and Linux file structure.

Now that you have a better understanding of the cd command, you can start exploring the Linux file system with confidence. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Linux user, mastering the cd command is an essential skill that will help you get the most out of your Linux system.

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