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.