The root directory is a fundamental concept in operating systems like Unix and Windows, functioning as the primary directory from which all other directories and files branch off. This hierarchical structure is symbolized by a slash sign in Unix systems. This root directory is also a crucial part of each process, which can have its own root directory that can be amended through a system call known as chroot. This is often used to forge isolated environments, although it doesn’t provide enhanced security[1]. Some Unix systems also support a ‘super-root’ directory, a level below the root. In contrast, Windows systems assign a drive letter to each partition instead of having a public root directory. The term ‘root directory’ can also refer to the home directory of a superuser in many Unix systems. Understanding the root directory is essential to navigate and manage files within an operating system efficiently.
In a ordinateur file system, and primarily used in the Unix et Unix-like systèmes d'exploitation, le root directory is the first or top-most directory in a hierarchy. It can be likened to the trunk of a tree, as the starting point where all branches originate from. The root file system is the file system contained on the same disk partition on which the root directory is located; it is the filesystem on top of which all other file systems are mounted as the system boots up.
FR 
NL 
EN 
PT