NAME
pathname
DESCRIPTION
Using Pathnames
A pathname describes the path the operating system takes to get from a
starting point to a destination object. A pathname begins with the
network's top directory (called "//") and includes every directory name
between the starting point and the destination object. Slashes separate
the names within a pathname.
A pathname may not exceed 1023 characters, including the slashes. Names
between the slashes (called "leaves") may not exceed 255 characters.
This is an example of a pathname:
//dickens/barb/ref_man/ch4
The double slashes (//) at the beginning of the pathname refer to the
network's top directory, called the 'root' directory. The root directory
contains the name of each network node's top directory. The system
begins its search in the network root directory. Next, the system finds
the node whose topmost directory (the "entry directory") is called
"dickens". There are many subdirectories in each node's entry directory.
The system searches for the subdirectory "barb". Next, it looks for
"ref_man", a subdirectory in "barb". Finally, the system locates the
file "ch4".
Pathnames may contain any alphanumeric characters, plus a variety of
special operators called "wildcards." (For more information on these,
type "help wildcards".) In addition to wildcard characters, four other
characters have special functions in pathnames:
.. The double period indicates a path UP the directory tree
instead of down. If your working directory is set to
"//joe/help" and you want the file "//joe/down/dirty", you
can type "../down/dirty" to move up one level before
looking for the "down" directory. Multiple double periods
are permissible.
. (period) The period alone is shorthand for the current working
directory. If included in a pathname, the period
indicates directory last referenced in the pathname. For
example, "//joe/./down" and "//joe/down" refer to the same
directory.
~ (tilde) The tilde is shorthand for the naming directory (see help
nd).
` (backquote) The backquote has meaning only when associated with the
node_data directory. The leaf "`node_data" translates
into the pathname "/sys/node_data" for nodes with mounted
disks, and "/sys/node_data.node_id" for diskless nodes.