CODEWITHSUNDEEP
bashscripting
Breako Breako
Breako Breako

Reputation: 6451

Why is this script not changing directory

Ok simple bash script question - don't laugh. My script just changes directory:

echo on;
echo "running script";
CURRENT_DIR=.;
cd ..;
pwd;

I can see it change directory in the echo but when it finishes it, my terminal is still at the same directory. Any tips?

Upvotes: 2

Views: 191

Answers (1)

lurker
lurker

Reputation: 58224

When you run a bash script, it runs in its own shell. That means that it has it's own shell environment including what the current working directory is. If you cd within the script, that script will be operating in that new current directory. But when it's completed, you are still at the current directory that your user-level shell is at since a subshell doesn't touch it.

If you want to impact the current shell environment, one way is to execute it with .:

. my_script

This is like running sh my_script but operates within the environment of your current user shell.

Upvotes: 5

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