zlacker

>>csmant+(OP)
This post gets some of the details wrong. /usr/local is for site-local software - e.g. things you compile yourself, i.e in the case of the BSDs the ports collection - things outside the base system. (They may be compiled for you).

Since Linux has no concept of a base system, it's a stand-alone kernel with a hodgepodge of crap around it - this distinction makes no sense on Linux.

/opt is generally for software distros for which you don't have source; only binaries. Like commercial software packages. More common on Real UNIX(R) because most Linux users outside enterprise aren't running commercial software. You're putting your $500k EDA software under /opt.

>>schmuc+3q
While practically useless in reality /usr/local is `site-local software`, E.G. software that if you nfs mounted /usr, would be local to the `site` not the machine.

The BSD ports explanation is a bit revisionist I hate to say, this all predates ports.

It was a location in a second stage mount you knew the upstream wouldn’t overwrite with tar or cpio. Later ports used it to avoid the same conflict.