In Linux, what is the purpose of /proc/partitions?

The /proc/partitions file serves the crucial role of providing system partition information in Linux. This pseudo-file is part of the /proc filesystem, which is used to present information about the system and its processes in real-time. Specifically, /proc/partitions displays a list of all block devices on the system, including their major and minor device numbers, size, and device names.

This information is invaluable for understanding the layout of storage on the system, as it allows users to easily see which partitions exist, their sizes, and how they are recognized by the kernel. It is especially helpful for tasks such as troubleshooting storage issues, managing disk partitions, and preparing for mount operations.

The other options relate to different aspects of system functionality. For instance, displaying mounted filesystem information typically involves files such as /etc/fstab or commands like df and mount rather than /proc/partitions. Listing logical volumes would more commonly reference the LVM (Logical Volume Manager) commands or the /dev/mapper directory, while managing device quotas is associated with filesystem quota tools and configurations. Thus, B accurately encapsulates the primary purpose of the /proc/partitions file.