Linux Directories

Common Linux Directories on default install (openSUSE).

bin – Various binary (executable) files, system-critical programs.
boot – Files the system uses when booting, such as the kernel image.
dev – Device nodes/files. Contain files used to directly access your hardware (ex HDD).
etc – Programs and configuration files used for system configuration.
home – Common location for home directories.
lib – Shared libraries needed by the operating system as it is running. System-critical libraries.
lost+found – Used to store files after a file system check that are no longer associated with any directory.
media – Common mount point for various media types.
mnt – Tradition mount point for various media type. Often only for tempory use.
opt – Optional software
proc – Psudo-Filesystem containing various information about your running system.
root – Typical location of the home directory for the root user.
sbin – System programs (executables), must be root ro run. Contains essential binaries.
tmp – Temporary storage.
usr – Contains user related subdirectories.
var – Files that change (vary) as the system runs, such as log and status files. Application data not specific to user (ex MySQL).