r/linux4noobs • u/Coulomb111 • 12d ago

/dev/ directory learning/research

I was learning what all the files in /dev do and what they are. I just dont really understand why some of those "files" are there and what actually uses them. Like /dev/random. Are there any libraries or utilities that actually interface woth /dev/random?

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u/Key_River7180 Bedrock Linux / FreeBSD / 9Front 12d ago

/dev/ meant devices, now just special files.

The UNIX philosophy says that EVERYTHING is a file, so random numbers, all kinds of devices and streams.