Pathnames

Each directory and file on the file tree is at a specific place on the file tree. That place is called the path name of that file or directory. The path name is like an address. Path names allow you to specify where you want to put files, as well as helping you find your location on the file tree.

How Path Names Work

All path names start from the root directory ("/") and work their way down through each branch of the file tree between the root directory and the file or directory that you wish to identify. A slash is placed in between each level of a path name in order to de-limit each directory name from its last level. Each file or directory has its own unique path name. Here's an example of a path name to Joe Schmoe's home directory:

Some Facts About Linux Filenames

• Linux filenames can be up to 256 characters long.
• It is recommended that you do not use any "special" characters in filenames. Some programs will not be able to interpret them correctly.
  Special characters include the following:
  | { } [ ] ( ) ! & * ? \ ^ % @ # " ' `<>
  • FYI (advanced): If you must use a special character, it may be necessary to precede it with the backslash ('\') character. For example, to name a file "some!file", you may have to name it "some\!file" for it to function correctly.
• Linux filenames may not include the forward slash ('/') because the forward slash is used to denote pathnames.
• Linux filenames should not include spaces. If you wish to symbolize a space in a filename you should use an underscore (_), like_this.