Saturday, September 3, 2011

What Is Root in Computers?



"Root" is a computer term that has various meanings, depending on the context in which the word is being used. It could refer to the operating system's root directory. In the Linux and Unix operating system, there is a root user. Root has a different meaning when referring to data structure. The term is also used when unlocking a smartphone device.







Root Directory

The root directory is the top level directory of the operating system. In the Windows operating system, it is the C:/ directory. In the Linux, Unix and Mac OSX operating systems, it is indicated by the "/" character. All other directories are subdirectories of the root directory. The path to every file and directory within the file system begins with the root directory.



Root User

In the Linux and Unix operating systems, the root user is a special user that has access to the entire operating system. This user is the only user that can make system-wide changes. The root user also has the ability to create new users and make changes to any file on the system. The root user is also called the "superuser."



Root Node

When discussing data structure, the root node is the only node in a tree structure that has no parent nodes, but it does have child nodes. It is the starting point for the rest of the tree. The path to every other node in the tree starts with the root node. The operating system file structure is an example of this type of data structure.



Rooting a Device

"Rooting a device" refers to obtaining superuser permissions on the device. This allows the user to load custom themes and software, increase the device's performance and battery life and access functions that would typically cost money. Rooting a device voids the device's warranty and could cause the device to stop working completely.

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