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 ‘ / ’, ‘ . ’, or ‘ .. ’, 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 shell variable.  $CDPATH has the same syntax as, and similar semantics to, the $PATH shell variable.  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 by and is internal to the shell. 

SEE ALSO

pwd(1), sh(1), chdir(2)

Sun Microsystems  —  Last change: 5 Jul 1990