Sharepoint Hierarchical Structure

Question

I'm interested in having a hierarchical data set of folders, files, sub-sites etc. from a certain site that I would eventually manipulate/visualize in R. (Data.trees and such) I've done this effectively with all of the folders/sub-folders/files on the site, but I've realized that I don't really understand how sites, libraries, lists etc. feed into one another.

Obviously we have folder->sub-folder... and site->sub-site..., but are libraries always within sites? Can each type be interchangeable stored in the other? Is there a clear hierarchy for me to try and navigate, or is the structure something more abstract? Any other input on going about this would be helpful.

Answer 1

Obviously we have folder->sub-folder... and site->sub-site..., but are libraries always within sites?

Yes, all the content (lists, libraries, items and documents) are always located within sites.

Is there a clear hierarchy for me to try and navigate, or is the structure something more abstract?

From content perspective, everything has strict hierarchy.

Check these these two links : link-1 and link-2. First explains more about site hierarchy and other focuses on whole structure (from web application till documents).