Shareable/Unshareable, Static/Variable Data

Data on a UNIX® system can be classified according to the following criteria: shareable data may be common to several computers in a network, while unsharable cannot. Static data must not be modified in normal use, while variable data may be. As we explore the tree structure, we will classify the different directories into each of these categories.

[Note]Note

These classifications are only a recommendation. It's not mandatory to follow them, but adopting these guidelines will greatly help you manage your system. Also, bear in mind that the static/variable distinction only applies to general system usage, not its configuration. If you install a program, you will obviously have to modify “normally” static directories, such as /usr.