Is a child directory “underneath” or “above”?

Question

Is there a defined rule when to use underneath and when to use above when describing a child directory? I have encountered (and used) both:

Make sure the config file is stored above the web root.

(= outside the web root, not a child of it); also

Underneath the images folder, I have three sub-folders: Photographs, Illustrations and Thumbnails.

But I have heard it being used the other way round, too:

How to open files located under the webroot?

(referring to files outside the web root)

is there a correct one? Does this differ from OS to OS? How to avoid confusion?

I really don't understand your question. How does your examples contradict, exactly?
@Massimo I have seen the latter one refer to files outside (=above) the web root, hence my confusion. But the general consensus seems to be that "/home" is above "/home/htdocs"
@Pekka: I've never seen the last example used with this meaning... it just sounds "wrong".
That last example is just wrong. The author of the part you lifted it from is not clear in his or her intent. It's like you're asking if there's a proper way to refer to something when citing someone else who can't write clearly or properly.
("Wrong" meaning it's not "outside the web root") The "proper" way to refer to something as a child file or child directory is to cite it in a clear manner to the majority of people attempting to follow directions.

Cakemox · Answer 1 · 2011-05-06 09:05:44Z

I have always known it as

I have never heard otherwise. Your two examples don't really contradict, either.

Thanks, I fixed the examples. The way you show makes the most sense to me, too, and a cursory Googling places it way ahead.

pavium · Answer 2 · 2011-05-06 10:44:57Z

I'm surprised that you would ask, actually.

The analogy is with depictions of family trees where the parents are shown above the children.

I too have never heard any other interpretation.

(if someone knows of a family tree shown with the parents below the children it's upside down)

2 Answers