Step 6: Learn about UNIX
The UNIX file system is hierarchical in structure. The tilde (~) is an alias for the Developer Server's root home directory, accessible only by the Developer Server administrator. The root directory is indicated by a forwardslash (/). Under the root directory are the following major directories:
|
Directory |
Description |
|
~/www |
links
to ~/usr/local/etc/httpd
contains web server configuration and log files |
|
~/usr |
contains
several important subdirectories, including users' home directories |
|
~/bin |
contains
the server's program files |
|
~/ftp |
anonymous
FTP directory |
|
~/dev |
contains
the device node
null |
|
~/etc |
contains
server configuration and system administration files (aliases, sendmail,
sendmail.cf, etc.) |
|
~/var |
contains
Telnet, e-mail, and FTP log files |
Under each of these major directories are many subdirectories, but the ones you should know about when getting started are listed in the table below:
|
Directory |
Description |
| ~/
(Root Directory) |
Parent
directory for all others |
| ~/www |
Symbolic
link to ~/usr/local/etc/httpd |
| ~/www/cgi-bin |
CGI and
Scripts directory |
| ~/www/logs |
Contains
the web server log files |
| ~/www/vhosts |
Used
for virtual subhosting |
| ~/www/htdocs |
All web
pages need to be placed here |
An overview of the Developer Server directory structure is in Chapter 1 of this Handbook.
Most UNIX commands are the same in all flavors of UNIX (e.g. Solaris, HP-UX, FreeBSD). You will need to use a few UNIX commands. Sources of helpful information are:
- The FreeBSD Project (http://www.freebsd.org)
- Rule the World with 13 UNIX commands (
)
