A code file structure can vary a lot depending on the project's size, complexity, and the
programming language being used. However, most projects follow a similar, logical hierarchy to
keep things organized. Here's a common file structure, broken down into key directories and
files:
Root Directory
This is the main folder for your project. It usually contains all the other subdirectories and
important files.
● README.md: An essential file that provides a brief overview of the project, including
what it does, how to install it, how to run it, and other helpful information.
● .gitignore: A file that tells Git which files and directories to ignore and not commit to the
repository (like compiled code, dependencies, or sensitive information).
● LICENSE: A file that specifies the legal license for your code.
● package.json or requirements.txt or similar: A file that lists all the project's dependencies.
This allows others to easily install the correct libraries and packages.
Source Code Directory (src/ or app/)
This is where all the actual code for your application lives. It's often the largest directory in the
project.
● components/: For front-end projects, this folder holds reusable UI components (e.g.,
buttons, navigation bars).
● models/ or data/: Contains data structures and models that represent the data in your
application.
● services/ or lib/: This directory is for business logic and services that handle specific
tasks (e.g., API calls, data processing).
● utils/ or helpers/: For small, reusable functions and utility scripts that don't belong
elsewhere.
● views/ or pages/: In web projects, this folder holds the code for individual pages or views
of the application.
● main.js or index.py: The entry point for the application. This is the first file that runs when
you start the program.
Testing Directory (tests/)
This directory is dedicated to all the tests for your code. Keeping tests separate from the source
code makes it easier to run them and helps keep the main code base clean.
● unit/: For unit tests, which test individual functions or components in isolation.
● integration/: For integration tests, which ensure that different parts of your application
work together correctly.
● e2e/: For end-to-end tests, which simulate a user's journey through the entire
application.
Documentation Directory (docs/)
This directory is for any project documentation, such as user guides, API references, or detailed
design documents.
● api/: Documentation for your API.
● user_guides/: Guides on how to use the application.
Assets Directory (assets/ or public/)
This folder contains static files that the application uses but that don't need to be compiled.
● images/: All images used in the project.
● styles/: CSS files or other styling assets.
● fonts/: Custom fonts.
A Simplified Example of a Full File Structure
Here's what it might look like for a small web application:
my-project/
├── .gitignore
├── README.md
├── package.json
├── src/
│ ├── components/
│ │ ├── Button.js
│ │ └── Header.js
│ ├── pages/
│ │ ├── HomePage.js
│ │ └── AboutPage.js
│ ├── services/
│ │ └── api.js
│ ├── App.js
│ └── index.js
├── public/
│ ├── index.html
│ ├── logo.svg
│ └── styles.css
└── tests/
├── App.test.js
└── Button.test.js
This is a good starting point for most projects, as it provides a clear separation of concerns and
makes it easy for new developers to understand the project layout.