What is the purpose of the /etc/fstab file?

• A. Stores user accounts
• B. Schedules cron jobs
• C. Defines device files and their mount points
• D. Contains logs

Answer: (C)

The /etc/fstab file declares which filesystems should be mounted and where. Each entry lists a device or identifier (like a partition or UUID), a mount point (the directory where it will appear), the filesystem type, and mount options. The system uses this file during boot to automatically mount those filesystems, and you can mount all listed entries later with a single command. This is a critical configuration because mistakes can affect boot or access to parts of the filesystem. It isn’t for storing user accounts, scheduling tasks, or logging—those functions live elsewhere (for example, /etc/passwd, cron, and /var/log). So the purpose is to map device files to their intended mount points and how they should be mounted.