/home: A systemwide directory that contains the home directories for each user (except root, whose home directory is /root). Home directories are named /home/<username>, for example /home/user01.

See FHS#3_8_home_User_home_directories_o.

It is often considered advisable to establish a separate partition for the /home directory, as, for example, often a new Linux system can be installed without destroying the home directories if they are on a separate partition.

Until recently, I've thought of the home directory as the place where my personal data files are stored (files I create -- letters, email, spreadsheets, whatever). I need to remember that many personal configuration files are stored here. Sometimes it may be more appropriate to delete those so they are created anew with a new installation. Something to think about -- then I should think about a different directory (/home2?) to store my data on.

Contributors

• RandyKramer - 24 Jan 2002
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