Thursday, March 17, 2011

Difference between /bin vs /sbin vs /usr/bin vs /usr/sbin vs /usr/local/bin vs /usr/local/sbin

/bin This directory contains executable programs which are needed in
single user mode and to bring the system up or repair it.

/sbin Like /bin, this directory holds commands needed to boot the sys-
tem, but which are usually not executed by normal users.

/usr/bin
This is the primary directory for executable programs. Most
programs executed by normal users which are not needed for boot-
ing or for repairing the system and which are not installed
locally should be placed in this directory.

/usr/sbin
This directory contains program binaries for system administra-
tion which are not essential for the boot process, for mounting
/usr, or for system repair.

/usr/local/bin
Binaries for programs local to the site (not part of the standard OS build)

/usr/local/sbin
Locally installed programs for system administration (not part of the standard OS build)

15 comments:

  1. thank you. This is the simplest explanation and all I was was looking for.

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  2. Thanks for the support and appreciation buddy!

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  3. very nice explanation...

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  4. finally someone in the Linux world that can answer a question that is asked, direct and to the point - excellent

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  5. http://www.osnews.com/story/25556/Understanding_the_bin_sbin_usr_bin_usr_sbin_Split/

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  6. what is this one ? /usr/local/bin , /usr/local/sbin ?

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  7. Hi Prasath,

    Please find below needed info:

    /usr/local/bin
    Binaries for programs local to the site (not part of the standard OS build)

    /usr/local/sbin
    Locally installed programs for system administration (not part of the standard OS build)

    Also updated in blog ;-)

    ReplyDelete