In Linux, what term is used for what Windows calls a folder?

In Linux, the term "directory" is used to refer to what Windows calls a folder. A directory serves as a container for files and potentially other directories, allowing for organized storage and easy navigation of the file system. This terminology is consistent throughout Unix-like operating systems, of which Linux is a version, providing users with a familiar structure when working with files.

The choice of the term "directory" aligns with the hierarchical nature of file systems where directories can contain files and other directories, leading to a tree-like structure in which users can intuitively navigate through their files. This definition emphasizes the organization and structure of data storage, similar to how folders are utilized in Windows operating systems.

The other terms, while related to data and file organization, do not accurately define the concept of folders in Linux. A "file" is an individual item stored on the system, a "container" is a more general term and not specific to file systems, and "subdirectory" refers to a directory that exists within another directory rather than the equal concept of a folder itself.