📂 Understanding the Linux File System Layout

Linux uses a hierarchical file system that begins at a single starting point — the root directory, represented by /.
Every file, device, folder, or configuration file exists somewhere under this root.

Important Directories You Must Know

Directory	Purpose
/home	Contains individual user directories
/etc	System-wide configuration files
/var	Logs, caches, and dynamically changing data
/bin	Essential user binaries (ls, cat, cp, etc.)
/root	Home directory of the root (admin) user

Visual Idea: Hierarchical file system tree diagram showing / → /home, /etc, /var, /bin, /root
(If you want, I can generate this with RSH branding.)

🧭 Navigation Basics: Absolute vs Relative Paths

To move around the file system, you must understand how Linux defines paths.

📌 Absolute Paths

Start from / (root directory)
Describe the complete location
Example:

📌 Relative Paths

Start from your current working directory
Useful for shorter, contextual navigation
Example:

📌 Special Path Symbols You Must Know

Symbol	Meaning
`.`	Current directory
`..`	Parent directory
`/`	Root directory
`~`	Home directory of the logged-in user

⌨️ Essential Navigation Commands

These are the most commonly used commands for navigating and managing files in Linux:

Command	Description	Example
`pwd`	Show current directory	`/home/user`
`ls`	List directory contents	`ls -l /etc`
`cd`	Change directory	`cd /var/log`
`mkdir`	Create new directory	`mkdir backups`
`rmdir`	Remove an empty directory	`rmdir old_logs`
`cp`	Copy files or directories	`cp file.txt /home/user/`
`mv`	Move or rename files	`mv file.txt archive.txt`

🧠 Pro Tips for Beginners

Use cd ~ to quickly jump to your home directory.
Combine ls -lh for human-readable sizes.
Press TAB for auto-completion of commands and paths.
Practice inside a VM or sandbox to avoid accidental system damage.
Use the up arrow to reuse previous commands.

Visual Idea: Linux navigation cheat-sheet infographic with RSH Network branding.

🚀 What’s Next?

In Linux Basics Series – Post 3, we’ll explore:

File permissions (rwx)
Ownership (chown)
Permission changes (chmod)
Understanding user, group, and others

This builds the foundation for Linux administration and security.

Navigating the Linux File System: Directories, Paths, and Commands Explained