A Root directory is a top folder of a file system. Mostly the operating system provides a root directory in the computer.
That’s why sometimes we see different names of the root directory in different computers like root.
You can compare the root directory with a tree. All the files and folders are linked to the main directory.
As in this directory is very much important and acts like a root that’s why this directory is called the root directory.
What are the Examples of Root Directory ?
Now you got it the meaning of the root directory. Let’s take the example of the root directory to understand it in a better way.
When you go to the option of “my computer” in your computer then you see different partitions like C:/ or DVD or F:/ etc.
When you open a specific folder e.g. CV then you see the kind of address in the search bar. It looks like C://Username/Docs/CV.
So in this address, C:/ is the root directory because all the folders belong to that.
What is the Symbol for Root Directory?
In Windows and DOS, the command line symbol root directory used is backslash but in UNIX and Linux the symbol of the root directory is just a slash.
What is the Difference Between Root Directory and Home Directory?
The key difference between the root directory and the home directory are stated below.
The root directory is the most important and top-level directory of the system. Whereas the home directory is a part of the root directory; means the home directory is a subsidiary directory of the top-level directory known as the Root directory.
For indicating the Root directory we use the symbol of ‘ / ‘ but for a home directory, we use ‘~’ this symbol.
If there is any need to change files and settings of the root directory then only the admin is allowed to make these changes. But in the home directory, the users of the root directory can make changes in settings or they can change the entire system.
The admin of the root directory can create users of the home directory. But the user of the home directory will not able to create another user.
All the important files and other things in the Linux file system comes under the root directory. But the home directory contains only particular users’ data of the system.
How do I Add Files to the Root Directory?
If you don’t know how to access the Root directory then you can follow these simple steps to accessing your Root directory.