What is the root directory in a computer's directory hierarchy?

The root directory refers to the top level of the directory structure within a computer's file system. It serves as the starting point from which all other directories and files branch out, forming a tree-like hierarchy. Within this framework, the root directory is represented by a specific path—often a single forward slash (/) in Unix/Linux systems or a drive letter followed by a backslash (e.g., C:) in Windows systems. This hierarchical organization allows for efficient storage management, where subdirectories can be created under the root to categorize and store files systematically. Understanding the role of the root directory is fundamental to navigating and organizing files on a computer effectively.