IFS directories in IBM i

Directories on IFS in IBM i

What is IFS directory

A Directory is a special object through which the listing of information about other objects that are arranged in a hierarchical structure and attached to it.IFS directory allows us to access files, directories, libraries and objects.

Different Types of Directories

QSYS.LIB

QDLS

QSYS.LIB

A library of type *LIB on IBM i is an object that is used as a system directory to keep track of other objects and it is treated as a sub-directory. It provides you with access to database files and all of the other IBM i object types that the library supports.

 Opt   Object link            Type             Attribute    Text               
       QIBM                   DIR                                              
       QNTC                   DIR                                              
       QOpenSys               DIR                                              
       QOPT                   DIR                                              
       QSR                    DIR                                              
       QSYS.LIB               DIR              PROD         System Library     
       QTCPTMM                DIR                                              
       QXDALISTEN             SOCKET                                           
                                                                               

QDLS

The QDLS file system supports the folders structure and provides access to documents and folders.

 Opt   Object link            Type             Attribute    Text       
       lib                    SYMLNK->DIR                              
       lib64                  SYMLNK->DIR                              
       tmp                    DIR                                      
       usr                    DIR                                      
       var                    DIR                                      
       www                    DIR                                      
       wwwsrv                 DIR                                      
       QDLS                   DIR                                      
       QFileSvr.400           DIR                                      
                                                                       

Concept of Current Directory

The Current Directory contains a list of objects that are attached to it.

Home Directory

The home directory is used as the current directory when you sign on to the system. It is associated with the user profile. If a directory by that name does not exist on the system, the home directory is changed to the “root” (/) directory.

 Opt   Object link            Type             Attribute    Text         
       .                      DIR                                        
       ..                     DIR                                        
       _welcome.txt           STMF                                       
       bin                    SYMLNK->DIR                                
       dev                    DIR                                        
       etc                    DIR                                        
       home                   DIR                                        
       imgclg                 DIR                                        
       instancecache          DIR                                        

To change the directory using CHGCURDIR/CHDIR() API FCHDIR() API

Provided directories

/temp

/temp creates the temporary objects

/home

/home is used as the current directory when you sign on to the system.

/etc

Stores administrative, configuration, other system files

/usr

Includes sub-directories that contain information that can be use by the system.

/usr/bin

Contains the standard utility programs.

/QIBM

/QIBM directory is a system directory used for Licensed Program user data.

/QIBM/PRODATA

/QIBM/PRODATA system directory used for Licensed Program data.

/QIBM/USRDATA

System directory used for Licensed Program user data such as configuration files.

/QOPENSYS/QIBM

/QOPENSYS/QIBM/PRODATA

/QOPENSYS/QIBM/USRDATA

They contain the same information as /QIBM, /QIBM/PRODATA, /QIBM/USRDATA only difference is they are based on UNIX

/asp_name/QIBM

/asp_name/QIBM/USRDATA

same as/QIBM and /QIBM/USRDATA , the only difference the one starts with ASP name will be applicable for the machines where independent ASP(Auxiliary storage pool) are installed.

/dev

Contains system files and directories.

/dev/xti

Contains the UDP and TCP device drivers.