OS X file system

icarus4586

Senior member
Jun 10, 2004
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I'm used to normal Linux and Unix filesystems, where you see things like /etc, /home, /usr, /bin, stuff like that, in the root. In OS X, though, you see things like /Applications, /System, /Users, etc.
Does OS X have a normal Unix directory structure that's just hidden in some way? Also, how are applications stored? Is there more to it than just the .app file you see in the Applications folder?
 

ProviaFan

Lifer
Mar 17, 2001
14,993
1
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Originally posted by: icarus4586
I'm used to normal Linux and Unix filesystems, where you see things like /etc, /home, /usr, /bin, stuff like that, in the root. In OS X, though, you see things like /Applications, /System, /Users, etc. Does OS X have a normal Unix directory structure that's just hidden in some way?
Yes. You can see it if you open a Terminal, cd /, and ls. There may be an option to view the hidden folders from within the Finder, but I'm not on my Mac at the moment.
Also, how are applications stored? Is there more to it than just the .app file you see in the Applications folder?
Also, yes. If you right-click (er, command-click if you're on a laptop or have one of the crappy default Apple mice) on an application and choose Show Package Contents, you can see what's inside.