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General Discussion

jason limmm
jason limmm
8,009 Points

what is ./ used for

i don't know category is this since this is for the command prompt. but what is ./, ../, and / used for?

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points

In the Linux shell (the workspace command prompt) a slash (/) separates directories ("folders") or a directory name from a file name. This has exactly the same function as the backslash character (\) in a Windows command. If it appears at the beginning of a specification, it means "the root directory" ("root" means the very top level of the filesystem).

A period (.) is a shorthand that means "the current directory".

Similarly, two periods (..) means "the parent directory".

jason limmm
jason limmm
8,009 Points

i don't really understand what is the current directory means

jason limmm
jason limmm
8,009 Points

wait nevermind i get it now

jason limmm
jason limmm
8,009 Points

although for some reason i can't make you best answer though

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points

Not sure why, but that option never appears in the "General Discussion" category.