Information & Resources for learning about functions of the root (/) for Mac OSX | Unix | Linux
Stands for binaries, is a hidden folder. Contains executable commands for applications. You can make changes to license and configuration files.
Where OSX stores Core Dumps. Intended for developers troubleshooting problems in software. Generated as software crashes. Contain Random Access Memory (RAM) in mac at time of crash.
Many program files can be found in /etc. Determine which program a directory belongs to and read the program manual. Networking configuration files can be found in /etc.
Apparently not needed and you should look at users (usr) instead.
Standard directory, stands for "System Binaries" and contains executable programs. Consists mainly of administrative tools for the root user. By default, it is not in the PATH. System admin files are not needed until /usr has been mounted during system startup.
Files created to temporarily hold data on the computer while using a specific application. These are usually created when the program being ran is unable to allocate memory for the task at hand.
Hidden by default. Stands for "User-usable programs and data." Not good to tamper with files in this folder. (read-only data, shareable data, user-land programs, user-land data - libraries, documentation, header files, user binaries. Associated data and read-only programs.
Helps improve operating security. Improves permissions (rwxr-xr-x) over temp and cache folders. (Examples: /Library/Caches, /tmp). Apple says this folder refers to "per-user temporary files/caches." This stops cache data from transferring data over a network.