Working directory
Encyclopedia
In computing
, the working directory of a process
is a directory
of a hierarchical file system
, if any, dynamically associated with each process. When the process refers to a file using a simple file name or relative path
(as opposed to a file designated by a full path from a root directory
), the reference is interpreted relative to the current working directory of the process. So for example a process with working directory /rabbit-hats that asks to create the file foo.txt will end up creating the file /rabbit-hats/foo.txt.
In most computer file systems, every directory has an entry (usually named ".") which points to the directory itself.
In most DOS
and UNIX
command shells, as well as in the Microsoft Windows
command line interpreters cmd.exe
and Windows PowerShell
, the working directory can be changed by using the cd or chdir command
s. In Unix shell
s, the pwd
command outputs the absolute pathname of the current working directory; the equivalent command in DOS and Windows is cd without arguments
(whereas in Unix, cd used without arguments takes the user back to his/her home directory
). The environment variable PWD is also set in Unix/Linux shells, for use in scripts, so that one need not start an external program like pwd. The POSIX
function chdir, where available, can be called by a process to set its working directory.
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
, the working directory of a process
Process (computing)
In computing, a process is an instance of a computer program that is being executed. It contains the program code and its current activity. Depending on the operating system , a process may be made up of multiple threads of execution that execute instructions concurrently.A computer program is a...
is a directory
Directory (file systems)
In computing, a folder, directory, catalog, or drawer, is a virtual container originally derived from an earlier Object-oriented programming concept by the same name within a digital file system, in which groups of computer files and other folders can be kept and organized.A typical file system may...
of a hierarchical file system
File system
A file system is a means to organize data expected to be retained after a program terminates by providing procedures to store, retrieve and update data, as well as manage the available space on the device which contain it. A file system organizes data in an efficient manner and is tuned to the...
, if any, dynamically associated with each process. When the process refers to a file using a simple file name or relative path
Path (computing)
A path, the general form of a filename or of a directory name, specifies a unique location in a file system. A path points to a file system location by following the directory tree hierarchy expressed in a string of characters in which path components, separated by a delimiting character, represent...
(as opposed to a file designated by a full path from a root directory
Root directory
In computer file systems, the root directory is the first or top-most directory in a hierarchy. It can be likened to the root of a tree — the starting point where all branches originate.-Metaphor:...
), the reference is interpreted relative to the current working directory of the process. So for example a process with working directory /rabbit-hats that asks to create the file foo.txt will end up creating the file /rabbit-hats/foo.txt.
In most computer file systems, every directory has an entry (usually named ".") which points to the directory itself.
In most DOS
DOS
DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
and UNIX
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
command shells, as well as in the Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
command line interpreters cmd.exe
Cmd.exe
Command Prompt is the Microsoft-supplied command-line interpreter on OS/2, Windows CE and on Windows NT-based operating systems...
and Windows PowerShell
Windows PowerShell
Windows PowerShell is Microsoft's task automation framework, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language built on top of, and integrated with the .NET Framework...
, the working directory can be changed by using the cd or chdir command
Command (computing)
In computing, a command is a directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task. Most commonly a command is a directive to some kind of command line interface, such as a shell....
s. In Unix shell
Unix shell
A Unix shell is a command-line interpreter or shell that provides a traditional user interface for the Unix operating system and for Unix-like systems...
s, the pwd
Pwd
In Unix-like and some other operating systems, the pwd command is used to output the path of the current working directory.The command is a shell builtin in certain Unix shells such as sh, and bash...
command outputs the absolute pathname of the current working directory; the equivalent command in DOS and Windows is cd without arguments
Parameter (computer science)
In computer programming, a parameter is a special kind of variable, used in a subroutine to refer to one of the pieces of data provided as input to the subroutine. These pieces of data are called arguments...
(whereas in Unix, cd used without arguments takes the user back to his/her home directory
Home directory
A Home directory is a file system directory on a multi-user operating system containing files for a given user of the system. The specifics of the home directory is defined by the operating system involved; for example, Windows systems between 2000 and 2003 keep home directories in a folder...
). The environment variable PWD is also set in Unix/Linux shells, for use in scripts, so that one need not start an external program like pwd. The POSIX
POSIX
POSIX , an acronym for "Portable Operating System Interface", is a family of standards specified by the IEEE for maintaining compatibility between operating systems...
function chdir, where available, can be called by a process to set its working directory.