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<A NAME="887"> </A><H1><A NAME="SECTION00440000000000000000">The <tt>/var</tt> filesystem</A></H1>
<P>
The <tt>/var</tt><A NAME="889"> </A> contains data that is changed when the system is
running normally. It is specific for each system, i.e., not
shared over the network with other computers.
<DL ><DT><STRONG><tt>/var/catman</tt><A NAME="891"> </A></STRONG>
<DD>
A cache for man pages that are formatted on demand.
The source for manual pages is usually stored in
<tt>/usr/man/man*</tt><A NAME="893"> </A>; some manual pages might come with
a pre-formatted version, which is stored in <tt>/usr/man/cat*</tt><A NAME="895"> </A>.
Other manual pages need to be formatted when they are
first viewed; the formatted version is then stored
in <tt>/var/man</tt><A NAME="897"> </A> so that the next person to view the
same page won't have to wait for it to be formatted.
(<tt>/var/catman</tt><A NAME="899"> </A> is often cleaned in the same way
temporary directories are cleaned.)
<DT><STRONG><tt>/var/lib</tt><A NAME="901"> </A></STRONG>
<DD>
Files that change while the system is running normally.
<DT><STRONG><tt>/var/local</tt><A NAME="903"> </A></STRONG>
<DD>
Variable data for programs that are installed in
<tt>/usr/local</tt><A NAME="905"> </A> (i.e., programs that have been installed
by the system administrator). Note that even locally
installed programs should use the other <tt>/var</tt><A NAME="907"> </A> directories
if they are appropriate, e.g., <tt>/var/lock</tt><A NAME="909"> </A>.
<DT><STRONG><tt>/var/lock</tt><A NAME="911"> </A></STRONG>
<DD>
Lock files. Many programs follow a convention to
create a lock file in <tt>/var/lock</tt><A NAME="913"> </A> to indicate that
they are using a particular device or file. Other
programs will notice the lock file and won't attempt
to use the device or file.
<DT><STRONG><tt>/var/log</tt><A NAME="915"> </A></STRONG>
<DD>
Log files from various programs, especially <tt>login</tt><A NAME="917"> </A>
(<tt>/var/log/wtmp</tt><A NAME="919"> </A>, which logs all logins and logouts
into the system) and <tt>syslog</tt><A NAME="921"> </A> (<tt>/var/log/messages</tt><A NAME="923"> </A>,
where all kernel and system program message are usually
stored). Files in <tt>/var/log</tt><A NAME="925"> </A> can often grow indefinitely,
and may require cleaning at regular intervals.
<DT><STRONG><tt>/var/run</tt><A NAME="927"> </A></STRONG>
<DD>
Files that contain information about the system that is
valid until the system is next booted. For example,
<tt>/var/run/utmp</tt><A NAME="929"> </A> contains information about people
currently logged in.
<DT><STRONG><tt>/var/spool</tt><A NAME="931"> </A></STRONG>
<DD>
Directories for mail, news, printer queues, and other
queued work. Each different spool has its own
subdirectory below <tt>/var/spool</tt><A NAME="933"> </A>, e.g., the mailboxes
of the users are in <tt>/var/spool/mail</tt><A NAME="935"> </A>.
<DT><STRONG><tt>/var/tmp</tt><A NAME="937"> </A></STRONG>
<DD>
Temporary files that are large or that need to exist
for a longer time than what is allowed for <tt>/tmp</tt><A NAME="939"> </A>.
(Although the system administrator might not allow
very old files in <tt>/var/tmp</tt><A NAME="941"> </A> either.)
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<P><ADDRESS>
<I>Lars Wirzenius <BR>
Sat Nov 15 02:32:11 EET 1997</I>
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