What is a Path in Linux?🌐
In Linux, a path refers to the location of a file or directory within the file system. It tells the operating system where a particular file is stored or where a command should be executed from. Linux uses a hierarchical directory structure, where the root directory (/) is at the top, and all other directories and files branch off from it.
Why Do We Need Paths? 🔍
Paths help us to:
Access Files and Directories: Easily open, edit, or delete files by knowing their exact location.
Execute Commands: Find and run commands located in specific directories.
Organize Data: Keep the file system organized, so you can quickly locate files.
Types of Paths in Linux:
What is an Absolute Path in Linux?
Imagine you're in a big city, and you want to reach to your friends house 🏠. He leave’s near JM Road Instead of just saying "go to the Jm Road ," if someone provide you the full address so you can find the house no matter where they are in the city.
For example: "Plot NO.12 , JM Road, Pune, Maharashtra".
Similarly, in Linux, an absolute path starts from the root directory (/) and provides the complete address to a file or directory. No matter where you are in the system, this path will always take you to the exact file or folder.
Key Points: Always starts with a slash (/). Specifies the file's location from the root directory. Doesn’t depend on your current working directory.
For example:
If you're in the /home/user/ directory, but you want to access a file in /home/user/documents/file.txt, you would use the full path:/home/user/documents/file.txt
This absolute path always works, no matter where you are in the system, because it starts from the root and gives the complete address!
What is an Relative Path in Linux?
Imagine you're at your friend's house on Plot No.12, JM Road, Pune 🏠. Now, to go to your Best Friend Forever's (BFF) house, instead of giving the full address, your friend simply says, "She lives next to me", because you’re already in the area and know where to go from there.
In the same way, a relative path works in Linux. Instead of giving the full path from the root directory, you specify the location of a file or folder relative to where you are.
Key Points: A relative path specifies the file's location based on your current directory, does not start with a slash (/), and depends on your working directory.
For example:
If you're already in the /home/user/ directory, you can just say documents/file.txt to access a file within the documents folder, instead of typing the full absolute path like /home/user/documents/file.txt.
Relative paths are great for quickly navigating within your current working directory!…
In Linux, a path indicates the location of a file or directory within the hierarchical file system, starting from the root directory (/). Paths are essential for accessing files, executing commands, and organizing data. There are two types of paths: absolute and relative. An absolute path provides the full address from the root directory and works regardless of your current location. A relative path, on the other hand, specifies a location based on your current directory, making navigation quicker within a particular area.