Login or Register to Ask a Question and Join Our Community

Sponsored Content
Full Discussion: What's the difference between /etc and /private/etc?
Operating Systems OS X (Apple) What's the difference between /etc and /private/etc? Post 302530975 by [MA]Flying_Meat on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 01:15:11 PM
Old 06-15-2011
ls -l /

You'll see, among other things (or should see):

lrwxr-xr-x@ 1 root wheel 11B Mar 7 18:05 etc -> private/etc
lrwxr-xr-x@ 1 root wheel 11B Mar 7 18:27 var -> private/var

As pointed out, they are links to the actual directories in the /private directory.

The lowercase L at the start of the line indicates a link, as does the string after the link name (linkname -> target).

I've seen this, or a similar setup in another Unix platform waaaay back when. It's not "entirely" unusual or necessarily Apple-centric.

On my machine there are other directories under /private, but from a system use perspective, etc and var are probably the most frequently accessed directories there, so a link cuts down on some typing.

An annoying side note to links is, typing ls -l /var displays the information about the link file, not the directory contents, while ls -l /var/ displays the directory contents. :P Not a show stopper, but requires an additional 2 characters (up arrow then /, or up arrow then backspace) be typed if the result is not the intended one.
This User Gave Thanks to [MA]Flying_Meat For This Post:
michellepace
 

10 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. IP Networking

private network to private network gateway

i have one private network with one ip address, and i have a seperate network on a seperate ip address. now, each network is behind a firewall/router. now what i want to do is be able to access one server on the second network from a computer on the first., but with the private ip address, (this... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: norsk hedensk
2 Replies

2. Solaris

Private Lessons

Hi everyone, I'm looking to hire for private lessons a individual who is presently working as a unix system administrator or instructor in school who is teaching unix. I live in Clifton nj my nubmer is Cell **no phonenumbers on this forum** or email **no emails on this forum** please let me... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: john furman
1 Replies

3. IP Networking

Private network

Hi all, Currently we are in the progress of setting up a private network on all of our Sun Solaris servers. Purpose is to move all backup tasks to the private, hence reduce load on public network. Some of our servers only consists of 1 network card but with several ports. Shall we purchase... (10 Replies)
Discussion started by: *Jess*
10 Replies

4. Linux

Private directory

Hi there, I'm working on a server with Fedora 6 and I can access root password. My problem is that even other people can ...:mad: and I'd like to have at least a private directory, but until now I couldn't find a clear answer... So I'd like to know if it's possiple to restrict access to a... (5 Replies)
Discussion started by: Giordano Bruno
5 Replies

5. Windows & DOS: Issues & Discussions

Private Network

Hello, I have a desktop which has two network cards installed on it and I connected these two card through a hub. On the desktop in have installed a Windows Vista Home Edition SO and a Windowx XP SO in a virtual way. I also had intalled a Virtual BOX software and Windows XP run through it. By... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: zendcool
1 Replies

6. Programming

what is the main difference between difference between using nonatomic lseek and O_APPEND

I think both write at the end of the file ...... but is there a sharp difference between those 2 instruction ..... thank you this is my 3rd question today forgive me :D (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: fwrlfo
1 Replies

7. Shell Programming and Scripting

Private Key

I have two types of files pubring.pkr secring.skr secring.skr is encrypted and not able to read. How can i read secring.skr in text format after decrypting ? is there any way of decrypting this file? Unix HP - UX Version. (4 Replies)
Discussion started by: airesh
4 Replies

8. Post Here to Contact Site Administrators and Moderators

Private messages

Hi, As i am recieving private messages, i am unable to reply to them. Could you please enable my private messages. Thanks! (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: Amulya
2 Replies

9. Shell Programming and Scripting

awk to calculate difference of split and sum the difference

In the awk I am trying to subtract the difference $3-$2 of each matching $4 before the first _ (underscore) and print that value in $13. I think the awk will do that, but added comments. What I am not sure off is how to add a line or lines that will add sum each matching $13 value and put it in... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: cmccabe
2 Replies

10. What is on Your Mind?

Private Messages.

Well I have just noticed over the years that I have PMs that I have not seen or even known about. Apologies if any of you have not had any replies to your PMs. It is too late now as some go back to my early days on here. The notification that comes up currently has notified me of a couple... (10 Replies)
Discussion started by: wisecracker
10 Replies

LEARN ABOUT OSF1

fdmns

fdmns(4)						     Kernel Interfaces Manual							  fdmns(4)

NAME

       fdmns - contains file domain names and devices

DESCRIPTION

       The  fdmns directory ensures access to file domains by providing symbolic links to every volume in the file domain.  The mkfdmn, rmvol, and
       addvol utilities automatically manage the fdmns directory.  Each file domain is described by its own subdirectory within the  fdmns  direc-
       tory.

       Back  up  the fdmns directory structure regularly using the vdump utility or any other backup utility (dump, tar, cpio). If the contents of
       the fdmns directory are deleted or corrupted, restore the directory from your most recent backup tape.  You must  also  restore	the  fdmns
       directory after installing a new version of the operating system.

       Always  keep  a hardcopy record of each file domain and its associated volumes in case a backup copy of the fdmns directory is unavailable.
       If you have a record, you can reconstruct the fdmns directory structure. The following is a sample fdmns directory:

       total 2 drwxr-x---     2 root	system	  512 Nov 24 18:35 scratch/ drwxr-xr-x	   2 root    system    512 Nov 24 18:35 usr/

	./scratch: total 0 lrwxr-x---	  1 root    system    10 Oct 23 15:13 dsk10c@ ->  /dev/disk/dsk10c  lrwxr-x---	   1  root    system	10
       Oct 24 11:33 dsk11c@ -> /dev/disk/dsk11c lrwxr-x---     1 root	 system     9 Oct 13 18:29 dsk8c@ -> /dev/disk/dsk8c

	./usr:	total  0 lrwxr-x---	1 root	  system     9 Oct 24 10:52 dsk2g@ -> /dev/disk/dsk2c lrwxr-x---     1 root    system	  9 Nov 24
       10:35 dsk9c@ -> /dev/disk/dsk9c

RESTRICTIONS

       Do not remove or modify the contents of this directory.	If the fdmns file becomes corrupted, you can no longer access (or mount) any file-
       set in the file domains.

SEE ALSO

       advfs(4), vdump(8), mkfdmn(8), vrestore(8), showfdmn(8)

																	  fdmns(4)
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:57 AM.
Unix & Linux Forums Content Copyright 1993-2022. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy