HP OpenVMS Systems Documentation

HP OpenVMS DCL Dictionary

Returns the current default directory name string. The F$DIRECTORY function has no arguments, but must be followed by parentheses.

Format

F$DIRECTORY()

Return Value

Arguments

None.

Description

You can use the F$DIRECTORY function to save the name of the current default directory in a command procedure, to change the default to another directory to do work, and to later restore the original setting.

Example

$ SAVE_DIR = F$DIRECTORY()
$ SET DEFAULT [CARLEN.TESTFILES]
   .
   .
   .
$ SET DEFAULT 'SAVE_DIR'
      

This example shows an excerpt from a command procedure that uses the F$DIRECTORY function to save the current default directory setting. The assignment statement equates the symbol SAVE_DIR to the current directory. Then the SET DEFAULT command establishes a new default directory. Later, the symbol SAVE_DIR is used in the SET DEFAULT command that restores the original default directory.

Note that you can use the F$ENVIRONMENT function with the DEFAULT keyword to return the default disk and directory. You should use the F$ENVIRONMENT function rather than the F$DIRECTORY function in situations involving more than one disk.