.\" Copyright (c) 1980 Regents of the University of California.
.\" All rights reserved. The Berkeley software License Agreement
.\" specifies the terms and conditions for redistribution.
.\" @(#)hier.7 4.1 (Berkeley) %G%
hier \- file system hierarchy
The following outline gives a quick tour through
a representative directory hierarchy.
the kernel binary (UNIX itself)
directory for connecting detached files for
utility programs, cf /usr/bin/ (1)
cf /lib/ccom, /lib/cpp, /lib/c2
object libraries and other stuff, cf /usr/lib/
system calls, standard I/O, etc. (2,3,3S)
essential data and maintenance utilities;
description of terminal capabilities,
table of what kind of terminal is on each port,
file system configurtion table
the parent of all processes,
shell program to bring the system up
temporary files, usually on a fast device, cf /usr/tmp/
general-pupose directory, usually a mounted file system
administrative information
phototypesetter accounting,
varian and versatec accounting
utility programs, to keep /bin/ small
temporaries, to keep /tmp/ small
principal word list, used by
library of stuff for the games
system-defined layouts, cf /usr/sys/h
object libraries and stuff, to keep /lib/ small
dummy declarations for /lib/libc.a, used by
dummy declarations for /lib/libc.m
remote system names and numbers
list of English words to be ignored by
introduction to volume 1,
preformatted pages for section 1
highest and lowest message
binaries of new versions of programs
editor temporaries preserved here after crashes/hangups
binaries of user programs - write permission to everyone
present when line printer is active
copy of file to be printed, if necessary
transient control file, while
work files and staging area for
log file for one transaction
work files and staging area for
log file for one transaction
initial working directory of a user,
what you are doing (used by (
what your short-term plans are (used by
papers, mostly in volume 2 of this manual, typically in
source programs for utilities, etc.
source for font tables, /usr/lib/font/
terminal characteristics tables, /usr/lib/term/
source for functions in /lib/libc.a
startup and wrapup routines needed with every C program
standard I/O functions (3S)
source which isn't normally distributed
source for new versions of commands and library routines
source for old versions of commands and library routines
binaries of programs developed at UCB
command editor for experienced users
mail reading/sending subsystem
ls(1), apropos(1), whatis(1), whereis(1), finger(1), which (1), ncheck(8), find(1), grep(1)
The position of files is subject to change without notice.