Linux Binary Directory

Unix and Linux binary files are the files which contain compiled source code. Which are call machine code. It you can also call executable files because they can be execute on the computer. Linux binary file system thing is main important thing in linux system.

Binary directory contains following are :

/bin
/sbin
/lib
/opt

/bin directory descriptions

The ‘/bin’ directory contains user binaries, executable files. Linux commands that are use in single user mode. It is common commands that are use by all the users. Like cat, cp, cd, ls, etc command.

‘/bin’ directory doesn’t contain directories.

Like example of ls /bin command :

See your terminal after run the command, command “ls /bin” displays the list of ‘/bin’ directory. The Linus commands cp, cat, less, touch, etc can be see in the picture.

/sbin directory descriptions

‘/sbin’ directory also contains executable files. But unlike ‘/bin’ it only contains system binaries. This directory require root privilege to perform certain tasks and are helpful for system maintenance purpose. e.g. fsck, root, init, ifconfig, etc.

Like example of ls /sbin command :

See your terminal after run the command, command “ls /sbin” displays the list of ‘/sbin’ directory.

/lib directory descriptions

‘/lib’ directory contains share libraries. Which are often use by the ‘/bin’ and ‘/sbin’ directories. It also contains kernel module. These filename are identable as ld* or lib.

Like example of ls /lib command :

See your terminal after run the command, command “ls /lib” displays the list of ‘/lib’ directory.

It have two different types concept :

Linux /lib/modules: ‘/lib/modules’ stores kernel modules and has a directory for each install kernel. This modules are use extra hardware support without making a new kernel.

/lib32 and /lib64: During compilation time of libraries you’ll encounter through the directories name ‘/lib32’ and ‘/lib64’ which will clarify register size to be use. Unix or Linux 64-bit system may have compatibility for 32-bit binary.

/opt directory descriptions

‘opt’ is short for optional. It is main purpose is to store optional application software packages. Add-on applications from individual vendors should be install in ‘/opt’. And so in some systems. The Unix or Linux command /opt is empty as they may not have any add-on application.

If you practice your own ability then you will lear more and more.