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## 3.2.8 The directory tree

Most UNIX systems have a standard layout for files, so that system resources and programs can be easily located. This layout forms a directory tree, which starts at the ```/`'' directory, also known as ``the root directory''. Directly underneath `/` are some important subdirectories: `/bin`, `/etc`, `/dev`, and `/usr`, among others. These directories in turn contain other directories which contain system configuration files, programs, and so on.

In particular, each user has a home directory, which is the directory set aside for that user to store his or her files. In the examples above, all of Larry's files (such as `cheat-sheet` and `history-final`) were contained in Larry's home directory. Usually, user home directories are contained under `/home`, and are named for the user who owns that directory. Therefore, Larry's home directory is `/home/larry`.

In Figure 3.2.8 a sample directory tree is represented. It should give you some idea of how the directory tree on your system is organized.

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Figure 3.1: A typical (abridged) Unix directory tree.

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