root directory

root directory definition - computer

In hierarchical file systems, the starting point in the hierarchy. When the computer is first started, the root directory is the current directory. Access to directories in the hierarchy requires naming the directories that are in its path.

In DOS and Windows, the command line symbol for the root directory is a backslash (\). In Unix, it is a slash (/). See path, tree, hierarchical file system and file system.



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