When you start working with Linux OS (operating system) and learning how to user Linux, you will soon discover that there are several Linux terms that are similar, the same, or somehow related.

For example, the terms: root user, / (root directory) and /root (the home directory of the root user) are similar and related. Now you will learn about the /root directory, which is the home directory (path) of the root user and how this relates to the / (root) directory and the /root (home directory) of the root user.

Linux Tips: Articles having names ending in “Linux Concepts & Terms” are designed to help you with Linux “geek-speak” (Linux “lingo”). By learning the Linux “lingo”, you will more easily understand Linux concepts and how to use Linux. And this is an excellent way to get practical Linux training.

First, You Need to Learn a Bit About Linux User Types and Linux Home Directories

Every Linux user has a “home” directory that is typically used for the data files created by the user.

By default, all users have all permissions (rights, capabilities) to their own home directories and this enables them to create data files and directories in the home directory.

The Linux user that exists on all Linux systems and is used to do system administration tasks is named root and this user has all permissions to all of the Linux system. No other Linux users have this capability - they only have limited permissions to the system.

Linux users that are created and used for day-to-day Linux tasks are regular (a.k.a. non-root) users.

Linux Tips: When using Ubuntu Linux, keep in mind that by default, the root user is locked (unusable, disabled). To run Linux system administration commands as the root user, you run the Linux sudo command (along with the commands), rather than logging in as root - or using the su command to log in as root.

The /root Home Directory of the root User

By default, all non-root user home directories are located in a directory named “home”, below the / (root) directory - in the path of /home.

For example, for a Linux user named cwest, the home directory is in the path of /home/cwest.

The home directory for the bbest user is in the path of /home/bbest.

However, the home directory for the root user is named “root” and is below the / (root) directory. Therefore, the home directory for the root user is in the path of /root. So, the path for the root is: root, root - hurrah - fun eh?.

The root user keeps: data files, Linux scripts, downloaded Linux software programs, and other Linux system administration files, in directories that are “in” or “below” the root user home directory - in the path of /root.

Now you can learn Linux the easy way - by watching all these terms and concepts clearly described, step-by-step in a Linux video tutorial!

Similar Linux Terms: /root (home directory of the root user), root user, and / (root) directory in the Linux file system

The root User - The Linux System Administration User

The root user has all permissions to all of a Linux system and is used for Linux system administration

The / (root) Directory

The root directory is represented by a / (forward slash) in the Linux file system. All directories in the Linux file system are “off of” or “below” the / (root) directory.

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When you are a new Linux OS (operating system) user starting to get Linux training, you may become frustrated by Linux documentation that uses several different terms to refer to the same thing - or to a similar thing.

To help put an end this Linux frustration, this article describes the terms: / (root directory) and /root (the home directory of the root user) and root user, in relation to one another.

We are going to focus on describing the / (root) directory and then briefly describe the /root home directory and the root user.

Linux Tips: Articles names ending in “Linux Concepts & Terms” will help you learn how to use Linux “geek-speak”. By learning Linux terms you will be able to understand Linux concepts and from this, you will learn how to use Linux! Understanding Linux concepts is the foundation for your Linux training. The / (Root) Directory in the Linux File System

The root directory in the Linux file system is represented by a / (forwared slash). Think of this as being the root of a tree.

There are several directories that are always created by default on a Linux system, such as the directories named: home, bin and var. And each of these directories always contains the same “type” of programs or data files.

Think of the directories located “off of” the root directory as being branches off of the root of the / (root) directory in the Linux file system.

Linux Tips: In some Linux documentation, the Linux “file system” is also often shown as “filesystem” (one word).

When you run Linux commands or use Linux documentation, there are times when you need to specify the full path (a.k.a. absolute path) to a directory or file. And when specifying the full path to a directory or file on a Linux system, you always specify the path, starting from the root directory.

The Linux Filesystem Hierarchy is defined in a document that outlines the requirements and guidelines for the placement of directories and files for the Linux OS (operating system).

Linux Tips: Just do an Internet search for “linux filesystem hierarchy” to see this document.

Similar Linux Terms: / (root) directory in the Linux file system , /root (the home directory of the root user) and root user

The /root Directory - The root User’s Home directory

There is a directory named “root”, which is located directly “off of” the / (root) directory. This is the “home” directory of the root user. The path of: /root is the full path to this directory.

The root User - Used for Linux System Administration

The root user has all permissions (rights and capabilities) to all of a Linux system. This user is used for Linux system administration.

Linux Tips: If you are using Ubuntu Linux, the root user is locked and is unusable (or disabled). To work as the root user and run Linux system administration commands, you need to run the Linux sudo command (along with the system administration commands), rather than logging in as root - or using the su command to log in as root.

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You learn Linux best by getting real practical experience working with it. By using a Linux desktop, running Linux programs, and especially running Linux commands - the real power behind Linux administration.

5 Ways to Get Linux Running to Get Linux Training

1. Get Linux “pre-installed” on a new computer This is one of the easiest ways to start working with Linux. Several major retailers now offer Linux pre-installed on their computer systems. Just buy it, boot it and start working!

2. Install Linux on a system that doesn’t have Windows

You can install Linux “from scratch”, from CD or DVD, on a new or used system that doesn’t already have an operating system (like Windows) on it.

3. Install Linux on a Windows system

If you don’t want to buy a new or used system for Linux, you can install Linux on an existing Windows system. When you do this, you create a “dual boot” (Linux and Windows) system.

After you install Linux and boot your system, a menu will appear allowing you to boot into Windows or boot into Linux!

In this case, you don’t need to buy a computer just for Linux. But there is a downside: if you make a mistake during the installation, or even if you delete Linux from your system later, you may loose all your Windows programs and data!

Linux Tip: Be sure to back up your system up before you install Linux and before you remove Linux.

4. Boot a system with a Linux “live” CD or DVD version

This one’s quite fun and very easy to do!

You can work with a Linux “live” version by booting a system with a Linux live CD or DVD.

Just put the Linux live CD / DVD in your drive and start your system. As soon as your system boots, Linux will automatically start and run “live”. No installation required!

Linux Tip: If you don’t have a high-speed connection to download Linux, you can buy Linux on CD or DVD and have it mailed to you anywhere in the world for a surprisingly small amount of money.

5. Run Linux from within Windows

A free “player” version of Linux is the easiest and fastest way to get Linux running from within Windows, on an existing Windows system!

Just run Windows and download and install the free Linux “player” program and a free “player” version of Linux. This lets you easily run Linux from within Windows!

Run the player program and open the player version of Linux and you get a fully functional version of Linux running from within Windows!

Now you know how to get Linux running so you can get real, practical experience working with Linux!

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