Like most operating systems, this operating system arranges files in a hierarchy of directories, and directories are represented as folder icons. However, a unique feature of the IRIX Interactive Desktop is that it displays a folder representing your "home" directory when you first log in.


What is the home directory?
The home directory is located on the desktop and is labeled with your login ("user") name. Everything inside this directory or in a lower subdirectory belongs to you. Anything in a higher directory is one of the following: application software installed on the system, part of the operating system (like the Macintosh System Folder or Windows directory on a PC), or data that belongs to someone in another account. For example, under the directory labeled people, you'll find folders for other accounts on your system, such as "guest."

What is a pathname?

Observe the diagram above, which illustrates the IRIX directory structure. We call the top directory in the hierarchy the "root directory." A slash (/) is used to separate directories in a pathname, starting with a slash to represent the root directory. So /usr/people/duke describes the "path" that connects duke's home directory up to the root directory. That's why we call /usr/people/duke a pathname.

A directory that contains another directory is called the "parent." It is important to know this and to understand pathnames so that you can navigate through your files and directories and so that you can use file browser windows, like the one below. In most applications, you get a file browser when you choose File > Open.

Note: Though you may occasionally have need to visit higher directories, you should store most of the documents you create in your home directory or in subdirectories of your home directory.