Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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What is the /opt directory? (lemmy.zip)

submitted 8 months ago by AlexPewMaster@lemmy.zip to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I've seen a lot of self-hosted software wanting to store their data in /opt, is there any reason why?

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[–] smileyhead@discuss.tchncs.de 18 points 8 months ago

I see very weird or even inaccurate descriptions here, so let me say it much simplier how it is most commonly used today:

Programs are expected to be unpacked/installed to proper locations. Like /usr/bin for binaries or /var/lib for their data. But not all programs, especially games and those ported from Windows, are made in recpect to this schema and expect everything in one directory.

So TLDR: For badly ported programs or quick installs that want every of program files in a single folder.