Directory (computing)

In computing, a directory (folder, catalog, or drawer) is a file system cataloging structure which contains references to other computer files, and possibly other directories.

Description

Files are organized by storing related files in the same directory.

Subdirectory

In a hierarchical filesystem (that is, one in which files and directories are organized in a manner that resembles a tree), a directory contained inside another directory is called a subdirectory.

Parent and child

The terms parent and child are often used to describe the relationship between a subdirectory and the directory in which it is cataloged, the latter being the parent. The top-most directory in such a filesystem, which does not have a parent of its own, is called the root directory.

Terminology

On many computers, directories are known as folders, catalogs (catalog was used on the Apple II, the Commodore 128 and some other early home computers as a command for displaying disk contents; the filesystems used by these did not support hierarchal directories), or drawers to provide some relevancy to a workbench or the traditional office file cabinet.

See also

• cd (command)
• chroot
• Computer file
• Computing
• dir (command)
• Directory structure
• Filename
• Home directory
• mkdir
• pushd
• popd
• Root directory
• Virtual folder
• Working directory

External links

• Directory (computing) @ Wikipedia