Description
The /etc folder is a central location for all configuration files of a Linux/Unix machine.[1]
Background
In most UNIX OS environments there is a folder designated for each type of data. For example, a /bin folder for all executable binaries, a /boot folder for all booting related information, and a /dev folder for all hardware devices attached to the machine.[1:1]
The /etc folder was originally designated for storing a mixture of config files, data files, socket files, and other files; therefore it was named /etc which is the abbreviated form of the latin expression, “et cetera.”[1:2]
As time passed the meaning of this folder has changed but not the name /etc.[1:3]
/etc folder contents
The contents of the /etc folder can be divided into the following groups.[2]