Here is the Linux file structure from the root, which some explanations. The main explanation for the /bin, /boot /lib are the basic files that are required on boot up that the kernel needs to “run” as such. The files within the /usr are the files that user programs use e.g. games.
Anyway here is a list of directories on my linux setup.
| bin | binary files for boot up e.g. mount e.g. |
| boot | boot files – kernel images etc. |
| dev | devices on the computer. |
| etc | configuration files for the programs |
| home | home users, e.g. your name /home/ian |
| lib | libraries |
| lib32 | libraries for the 32bit programs |
| lib64 | /lib (link to the libraries since I am using the 64 linux version) |
| lost+found | |
| media | media that is going to be mounted (cd-rom’s) |
| mnt | media that is going to be mounted (Hard drives etc) |
| opt | opitional programs e.g. things like google chrome, they are normally place in here is not distro specific. |
| proc | processes that are happening on the computer, all process you can “talk” to |
| root | root home files. |
| sbin | sbin, booted up at initial stage of the boot process, things like modprobe for setting up systems items. |
| sys | system image of devices attached and also file systems that are loadable. |
| tmp | tempoary files. |
| usr | user files, e.g. games, libraries, binary files bin games include lib lib32 lib64 local sbin share src it has its own includes, libraries, sbin and bin directories for all of the files within that user directory. |
| var | variable files, e.g. logs, apache www hosting files. |
The Windows equivalent would be that most of the / (root) directory is within the c:/windows directory, apart from the /home which is the c:/Users or c:/Documents depending on your Windows version.
| bin | /Windows /Windows/System32 /Windows/System |
| boot | boot.ini file that points to what to do. |
| dev | Does not appear to have something similar on the file system |
| etc | /Program Data (depending on Windows versions) |
| home | /Users |
| lib | /Windows /Windows/System32 /Windows/System /Windows/.Net (for .Net stuff) etc. |
| lib32 | |
| media | Does not appear to have a link to the different mount points but display them on the windows explorer |
| mnt | Does not appear to have a link to the different mount points but display them on the windows explorer |
| opt | /Program files/ |
| proc | Does not appear to have a list of running process on the file system, but you can view them with pslist pskill |
| root | /Documents/Admin user account |
| sbin | /Windows |
| sys | Does not appear to have a list of devices attached |
| tmp | /tmp |
| usr | /Program files/ |
| var | /Program files/ or where ever you want them. |
That kinder helps me to understand that there is more details on the command line, directory structure to actual processes and devices attached than Windows, well of course there is the regviewer that can display options like the /etc in the linux but nothing as structured, things just across like a mess (to me anyway).