很多应用都安装在/usr/local下面，那么，这些应用为什么选择这个目录呢？理解了最根源的原因后，也许对你理解linux组织文件的方式有更直观的理解。
答案是：Automake工具定义了下面的一组变量：

1.  
   Directory variable Default value
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3.  
    
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   prefix /usr/local
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   exec_prefix ${prefix}
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    bindir ${exec_prefix}/bin
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    libdir ${exec_prefix}/lib
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16.  
    …
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    includedir ${prefix}/include
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    datarootdir ${prefix}/share
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    datadir ${datarootdir}
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    mandir ${datarootdir}/man
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    infodir ${datarootdir}/info
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    docdir ${datarootdir}/doc/${PACKAGE}
35.  
     
36.  
     
37.  
    …

二.

linux 系统中的 /bin /sbin /usr/bin /usr/sbin /usr/local/bin /usr/local/sbin 目录的区别

/bin
This directory contains executable programs which are needed in single user mode and to bring the sys‐ tem up or repair it.

/sbin
Like /bin, this directory holds commands needed to boot the system, but which are usually not executed by normal users.

/usr/bin
This is the primary directory for executable programs. Most programs executed by normal users which are not needed for booting or for repairing the system and which are not installed locally should be placed in this directory.

/usr/sbin
This directory contains program binaries for system administration which are not essential for the boot process, for mounting /usr, or for system repair.

/usr/local/bin
Binaries for programs local to the site.

/usr/local/sbin
Locally installed programs for system administration.

linux 系统中的 /bin /sbin /usr/bin /usr/sbin /usr/local/bin /usr/local/sbin 目录的区别

https://www.cnblogs.com/smallrookie/p/7089008.html