Learning more about file system hierarchy

[ImNeat]

I've gotten a sudden urge to learn more about file system hierarchy, and how Linux/distros do whatever they do.

Currently I run Linspire (CNR) and ArchLinux (pacman).

Whenever I [CNR] or [pacman -S] a program/app I have no idea what happens. All I know is that it's now usable.

What can I do to learn more about this phenomena. Can I customize how CNR or pacman do things - or should I try a new distro like Slackware/LFS? How did everyone else pick it up?

[bidi]

No place better than the source:
http://www.pathname.com/fhs/pub/fhs-2.3.html

Generally most install scripts follow that since it's the standard Unix (not just Linux) filesystem hierarchy! The best way to actually learn what happens is building stuff yourself, so I recommend building LFS:
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org

[Banko]

I would tend to agree...

Look at the first few pages of the LFS book (you can read it online) where it suggests prereading material. Then when you are done reading that, run through the CLFS book.

I recommend performing the CLFS over LFS because I beleive the method is somewhat more "pure" and instructive as to what really needs to be done, in designing a system.

Of course if Gentoo still offered support for the Stage 1 book, that is the first place I would send you, as you not only build your own system from the ground up, but you learn everything about the package management system as well. LFS has good documentation, but I dare anyone to say they have better documentation then Gentoo.

Let me know what road you are heading down... wouldn't mind checking in to see how you are making out.

[ImNeat]

I am probably going to go down the LFS/CLFS route - but not until I have a lot of time to devote to it. I read the LFS book, and all related readings, up until the actual work started.

[bidi]

I am probably going to go down the LFS/CLFS route - but not until I have a lot of time to devote to it. I read the LFS book, and all related readings, up until the actual work started.

On a decent computer it takes less than a day. I build my first LFS install on a 1.8GHz P4, 256MB RAM the same day. The longest package to build is Glibc, which took 30 minutes. Most are in the 1-5 minute range. The problem is that in order to get something decent you actually need to go into BLFS, which took me 1 extra day to get the way I wanted.

[Banko]

This is true.... if you are going to just mindlessly follow the book it will take you a day, and you can move onto BLFS.... BUT

You can't learn anything unless you break something

I recommend that when you get to installing the actual base system, that you try building them using anyone of the package management systems they list...... after all this is why you wanted to do it in the first place...

That will turn your one day into two or three easily.... and when your done that do it all again using another packaging system....then come back and tell us about all the headaches our current system is causing you

There is no perfect system.... and if you encounter no problems, then you didn't learn anything. Anyone can follow instructions. But can you work through the ideas while not mimicing the steps?

anyway have a blast, i sure did.

[bidi]

It's not really recommended to divert from the book that much on the first time! That's why I said the "first time" I installed it. LFS does put some restrictions on you either way, and in my opinion, once you get done with LFS you should try DIY Linux. It gives a lot more liberty on what you can do, but the instructions are also slight vague at times. DIY Linux accounts for package systems by installing fakeroot and your favorite packager on the toolchain!