pwd

Display the absolute path of the current working directory.

Description

The pwd command (print working directory) is used to display the current working directory of the user as an absolute path.

Builtin Command

Synopsis

pwd [-LP]

Options

-L (default) Print the value of the environment variable "$PWD", which may contain symbolic links.
-P Print the physical location of the current working directory.

Return Value

Returns success unless an invalid option is provided or the current directory cannot be read.

Note

1. This command is a bash builtin; use the help command for related help information.

External Command

Synopsis

pwd [OPTION]...

Main Usage

• Display the current working directory.

Options

-L, --logical Print the value of the environment variable "$PWD", which may contain symbolic links.
-P, --physical (default) Print the physical location of the current working directory.
--help Display help information and exit.
--version Display version information and exit.

Return Value

Returns success unless an invalid option is provided or the current directory cannot be read.

Note

1. This command is part of the GNU coreutils package; use man pwd or info coreutils 'pwd invocation' for help.
2. To enable or disable builtin commands, use the enable command. For priority issues with same-named commands, see the builtin command examples.
3. If the builtin is not disabled and no pwd function is defined, pwd refers to the bash builtin, while /usr/bin/pwd refers to the coreutils version.

Example

View the current path:

[root@localhost var]# pwd
/var

Display the final target path of a symbolic link:

[root@localhost ~]# cd /var/   # Enter /var directory; there is a "mail" symbolic link here
[root@localhost var]# ls -al
total 164
...
lrwxrwxrwx  1 root root   10 Oct 17  2015 mail -> spool/mail

[root@localhost var]# cd mail/   # Enter the mail directory; mail is a symbolic link.
[root@localhost mail]# pwd       # By default, shows the logical path.
/var/mail

Use the -P parameter to display the physical path instead of the logical one:

[root@localhost mail]# pwd -P    
/var/spool/mail