Which directory is commonly associated with storing system configuration files in Linux?

The directory commonly associated with storing system configuration files in Linux is /etc. This directory is specifically designated for configuration files that control the behavior of various system services and applications. System administrators frequently modify files found in /etc to adjust how the system operates.

Inside /etc, you will find critical configuration files for networking, user management, system services, and more. For example, files like /etc/passwd (which holds user account information), /etc/fstab (which contains information about disk partitions), and /etc/hosts (which maps hostnames to IP addresses) are all essential for the Linux system's operation.

The other directories mentioned serve different purposes. The /usr directory contains user utilities and applications, typically those shared among users, while /opt is used for optional application software packages. The /boot directory is specifically used for storing boot loader files and the Linux kernel itself. Thus, the /etc directory stands out as the primary location for system configuration files.