Root directory

Root Directory in Unix-like systems - Unix abstracts the nature of the tree hierarchy. - The root directory is denoted by the slash sign (/). - The root directory has no name, its path is the empty part before the initial directory separator character. - All file system entries, including mounted file systems, are branches of the root directory. chroot - Each process in UNIX-like operating systems has its own idea of the root directory. - The root directory for most processes is the same as the system's actual root directory. - The root directory can be changed by calling the chroot system call. - Chroot is used to create a secluded environment for running software that requires legacy libraries. - Chroot is not meant for enhanced security as processes inside can break out. Super-root - Some Unix systems support a directory below the root directory. - Normally, /.. points back to the same inode as /. - Under MUNIXde, /.. can be changed to point to a super-root directory. - Super-root allows mounting remote trees. - It enables accessing the root directory of a remote workstation. Related uses - Many Unixes have a directory named /root. - /root is the home directory of the root superuser. - On many Mac and iOS systems, the superuser home directory is /var/root. Other related concepts - Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS) - Parent directory - Working directory References: - Root Directory Definition. (techterms.com) - Root Filesystem Definition by The Linux Information Project. (LInfo.org) - What chroot() is really for. (LWN.net) - The Newcastle Connection (PDF) by Brownbridge, David R.; Marshall, Lindsay F.; Randell, Brian - NFS Illustrated by Brent Callaghan