Var Etc Sbin ...

Kestrell Kestrell · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:58 pm Post subject: Var Etc Sbin ...

Could someone explain the theory behind the directory names used by linux? What does var stand for? Why is there an etc folder? What is an sbin? I don't understand.
Thanks!

codergeek42 · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 12:05 am Post subject:

It's called the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard.
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Monkeywrench · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:47 pm Post subject:

I also recall reading somewhere about the reason for the weird names. Mostly, it's just because the pioneer hackers didn't like to slow down their typing with long directory paths and upper case letters. For example, compare the following:
cd /etc/init.d
and
dir C:\Documents and Settings\John\Start Menu\Startup

Maybe I'm totally wrong, but it makes sense

This is also why I think gobolinux is kind of stupid.
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Kestrell Kestrell · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:06 pm Post subject:

But what does "etc" stand for? And its not just etc, these cryptic abbreviations are all over, as long as names are being abbreviated and made, why not make them meaningful, or at least guessable? Instead of etc what about configs or cnfgs or cfgs?

BlackEdder · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:13 pm Post subject:

bin is short for binary
var variable
etc ..config??
usr user?
src source
lib library
sbin system binaries
sys system
dev devices
proc processes?
opt optional

NOTE these are all guesses

Kestrell Kestrell · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:23 pm Post subject:

Most of those are guessable, but what would the variable directory contain? I guess I am getting hung up on etc and var. Why do we distinguish between binaries and source installations? Why not just have a utils or apps or sftwr folder?

DaveArb · Guru Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 510 Location: Texas, USA