What is the purpose of the /home directory?

The purpose of the /home directory is to store user home directories and their personal files. This directory is a standard location on Unix-like operating systems where individual users can have their own subdirectory, typically named after their username. Each user's home directory within /home serves as a private workspace where they can save documents, configuration files, and other personal data. This structure allows for user-specific environments and settings, ensuring that different users can operate independently while using the same system.

The /home directory is crucial because it helps maintain user data separation and security, providing each user with a dedicated space to manage their own files and settings without interfering with other users or system files.