What is a file system root or drive ? (known as prefix)

About

The prefix is a path concept that is used to handle:

• root directories on UNIX platforms,
• drive specifiers, root directories, and UNC pathnames on Microsoft Windows platforms

List

Prefix can be:

Unix

For UNIX platforms:

• the prefix of an absolute pathname is always /.
• Relative pathnames have no prefix.
• The abstract pathname denoting the root directory has the prefix “/” and an empty name sequence.

Windows

For Microsoft Windows platforms:

• the prefix of a pathname that contains a drive specifier consists of the drive letter followed by “:” and possibly followed by “\\” if the pathname is absolute.
• the prefix of a UNC pathname (network shares) is “\\\\”; the hostname and the share name are the first two names in the name sequence.
• A relative pathname that does not specify a drive has no prefix.