Directories in Linux

From Wikiversity

Several directories are always available in Linux because they are used by the system. These are:

Directory	Use
/	The "Root" directory
/var	Variables
/bin	Binaries
/etc	System
/sbin	Special binaries
/usr	Unix system resources
/mnt (or /media)	Mounted devices
/dev	Devices
/boot	Boot loaders, kernel
/lib	Libraries
/home	Users' home directory

Users cannot write in any directory but their own home-directory (user pietje can only write in /home/pietje). Only root can write in other directories and can give permission to others to write elsewhere. All directories are readable to anyone unless root restricts it.