Embedded Linux Development - Part 4

📰 Dev.to · Can Gulmez

Learn the basics of embedded Linux development, focusing on the rootfs and its organization according to the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard.

intermediate Published 13 Apr 2026
Action Steps
  1. Explore the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard to understand the organization of a Linux rootfs
  2. Identify the key directories in the rootfs, such as /bin, /boot, and /dev
  3. Understand the role of the init program in starting up the system and its location in the rootfs
  4. Configure the rootfs for an embedded Linux system, including the selection of necessary applications and services
  5. Test and validate the rootfs configuration to ensure proper system boot and functionality
Who Needs to Know This

Embedded system developers and Linux enthusiasts can benefit from this tutorial to understand the rootfs structure and its importance in embedded Linux development.

Key Insight

💡 The rootfs is a critical component of an embedded Linux system, and understanding its organization and configuration is essential for successful system development.

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Learn about embedded Linux development and the rootfs organization #linux #embeddedlinux #rootfs

Key Takeaways

Learn the basics of embedded Linux development, focusing on the rootfs and its organization according to the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard.

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Title: Embedded Linux Development - Part 4

URL Source: https://dev.to/cangulmez/embedded-linux-development-part-4-2j83

Published Time: 2026-04-13T17:15:36Z

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# Embedded Linux Development - Part 4 - DEV Community
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Posted on Apr 13

# Embedded Linux Development - Part 4

[#linux](https://dev.to/t/linux)[#programming](https://dev.to/t/programming)[#computerscience](https://dev.to/t/computerscience)[#lowcode](https://dev.to/t/lowcode)

In this tutorial, I will go with the fourth stage of embedded Linux development which is the rootfs.

Every Linux-based system have a filesystem. If you are on GNU/Linux, you already probably know it and how it structured.

Apart from that embedded Linux needs a few special applications to start up the system. The _init_ is the first program that runs on user-space so that its process ID always is 1. This init program is responsible for start the other user-space applications and services like shell. It generally resides at _/sbin/init_, _/etc/init_, _/bin/init_ or so on. The kernel try to find it and then run.

The organization of a Linux rootfs in terms of directories is well-defined by the _Filesystem Hierarchy Standard_. The general hierarchy:

* _/bin_: Basic programs

* _/boot_: Kernel images, configurations and booting tools

* _/dev_: Device files

*
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