NAME
chdir - change working directory
SYNOPSIS
#include <unistd.h>
int chdir(const char *path);
DESCRIPTION
The chdir() function shall cause the directory named by the pathname
pointed to by the path argument to become the current working
directory; that is, the starting point for path searches for pathnames
not beginning with ’/’ .
RETURN VALUE
Upon successful completion, 0 shall be returned. Otherwise, -1 shall be
returned, the current working directory shall remain unchanged, and
errno shall be set to indicate the error.
ERRORS
The chdir() function shall fail if:
EACCES Search permission is denied for any component of the pathname.
ELOOP A loop exists in symbolic links encountered during resolution of
the path argument.
ENAMETOOLONG
The length of the path argument exceeds {PATH_MAX} or a pathname
component is longer than {NAME_MAX}.
ENOENT A component of path does not name an existing directory or path
is an empty string.
ENOTDIR
A component of the pathname is not a directory.
The chdir() function may fail if:
ELOOP More than {SYMLOOP_MAX} symbolic links were encountered during
resolution of the path argument.
ENAMETOOLONG
As a result of encountering a symbolic link in resolution of the
path argument, the length of the substituted pathname string
exceeded {PATH_MAX}.
The following sections are informative.
EXAMPLES
Changing the Current Working Directory
The following example makes the value pointed to by directory, /tmp,
the current working directory.
#include <unistd.h>
...
char *directory = "/tmp";
int ret;
ret = chdir (directory);
APPLICATION USAGE
None.
RATIONALE
The chdir() function only affects the working directory of the current
process.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
None.
SEE ALSO
getcwd() , the Base Definitions volume of IEEE Std 1003.1-2001,
<unistd.h>
COPYRIGHT
Portions of this text are reprinted and reproduced in electronic form
from IEEE Std 1003.1, 2003 Edition, Standard for Information Technology
-- Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX), The Open Group Base
Specifications Issue 6, Copyright (C) 2001-2003 by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc and The Open Group. In the
event of any discrepancy between this version and the original IEEE and
The Open Group Standard, the original IEEE and The Open Group Standard
is the referee document. The original Standard can be obtained online
at http://www.opengroup.org/unix/online.html .