# /etc/motd - queries

**URL:** <https://community.unix.com/t/etc-motd-queries/354609>\
**Category:** UNIX Desktop Questions & Answers\
**Created:** [August 12, 2015, 5:37am UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/etc-motd-queries/354609 "2015-08-12T05:37:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mescu](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/mescu/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@mescu](https://community.unix.com/u/mescu)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 5:37am UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/etc-motd-queries/354609/1 "2015-08-12T05:37:15Z")

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If I have /etc/motd, he is file or directory?  
I saw that some call them folders and files others... Which option is better?  
I knew that being a director, but many told me not.

Thank you!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![derekludwig](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/derekludwig/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@derekludwig](https://community.unix.com/u/derekludwig)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 5:43am UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/etc-motd-queries/354609/2 "2015-08-12T05:43:46Z")

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/etc/motd is a file

UNIX supports the following types (from [man stat (linux)](https://www.unix.com/man-pages.php?query=stat&section=0&os=linux)):

- files
- directories (not folders)
- devices - character or block
- symbolic link (symlink)
- fifo
- socket

Ddepending on your flavor of UNIX, additional types could be supported,