NAME

cd − change working directory

SYNOPSIS

cd [ directory ]

DESCRIPTION

If directory is not specified, the value of shell parameter $HOME is used as the new working directory.  If directory specifies a complete path starting with /, ., .., directory becomes the new working directory.  If neither case applies, cd tries to find the designated directory relative to one of the paths specified by the $CDPATH (sh(1)) or $cdpath (csh(1)) shell variables.  $CDPATH and $cdpath have the same syntax as, and similar semantics to, the $PATH and $path shell variables.  cd must have execute (search) permission in directory.

Because a new process is created to execute each command, cd would be ineffective if it were written as a normal command; therefore, it is recognized and internal to the shell. 

EXAMPLE

cd /usr/games

would relocate you to the directory /usr/games if this directory is executable (searchable) by you. 

SEE ALSO

csh(1), pwd(1), sh(1), chdir(2). 

Version 2.5r1  —  October 29, 1986