(tds.info)Rooting the tree

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2.2 Rooting the tree
====================

In this document, we shall designate the root TDS directory by `texmf'
(for "TeX and Metafont"). We recommend using that name where possible,
but the actual name of the directory is up to the installer. On PC
networks, for example, this could map to a logical drive specification
such as `T:'.

   Similarly, the location of this directory on the system is
site-dependent.  It may be at the root of the file system; on Unix
systems, `/usr/local/share', `/usr/local', `/usr/local/lib', and `/opt'
are common choices.

   The name `texmf' was chosen for several reasons: it reflects the fact
that the directory contains files pertaining to an entire TeX system
(including Metafont, MetaPost, BibTeX, etc.), not just TeX itself; and
it is descriptive of a generic installation rather than a particular
implementation.

   A site may choose to have more than one TDS hierarchy installed (for
example, when installing an upgrade). This is perfectly legitimate.