Final answer:
The directory for spool files in Unix-like systems is '/var/spool'. This area is for temporary files that need to be processed, such as print jobs. Knowledge of system directories like /var/spool, /var/logs, and /etc is crucial for system management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The directory that holds spool files in a Unix-like operating system is /var/spool. This directory is typically used for storing temporary files that are awaiting some kind of processing or transfer. For instance, print jobs are spooled in this directory before they are sent to the printer.
The /var/logs directory, on the other hand, is used to keep system log files, and the /etc directory is where system-wide configuration files are stored. It's important to be familiar with these directories for managing and troubleshooting a Unix-based system.
The other directories mentioned (ar/logs, /etc, /var) are not the standard locations for spool files. Spool files are often used for storing print job information, mail queues, and other temporary data.