Introduction

When managing a website, you may come across two commonly used directories: www and public_html. These directories are essential for organizing and serving website files on a hosting server. Understanding their purpose can help optimize your website structure and improve security.

If you’re using reliable web hosting or setting up a website on VPS hosting, knowing how these directories function is crucial for efficient site management.

What is the public_html Directory?

The public_html directory is the main folder where all publicly accessible website files are stored. It serves as the primary directory from which your website is loaded when users visit your domain.

Key Features of public_html

  • It acts as the root directory of your website.
  • Any file placed in this directory can be accessed by users online.
  • It is commonly used for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, and PHP scripts.
  • It is a required directory in most shared hosting environments.

What is the www Directory?

The www directory is often a shortcut or alias that points to the public_html folder. It is mainly used for compatibility purposes and does not function differently from public_html in most hosting environments.

Key Features of www

  • Functions as an alternative path to the public_html directory.
  • Helps with backward compatibility for older hosting setups.
  • Often included for ease of understanding that it contains web-related files.

Differences Between www and public_html

The public_html directory is the main location where website files are stored, while the www directory generally serves as an alias for it. In most hosting environments, these directories perform the same function, but public_html is the one that actually holds the files.

Best Practices for Using public_html

  1. Store sensitive files outside public_html to enhance security and prevent unauthorized access.
  2. Set correct file permissions to protect files from unwanted modifications.
  3. Organize files properly by creating subfolders for CSS, JavaScript, and media files.
  4. Use HTTPS for security by installing an SSL certificate to encrypt data transmitted through public_html.

Conclusion

Understanding the roles of public_html and www directories is important for efficient website management. The public_html folder serves as the main storage for web files, while the www directory is usually a shortcut. Proper usage of these directories enhances security and website accessibility, especially when hosting on a high-performance web server or VPS hosting.