CODEWITHSUNDEEP
javacommand-lineworking-directory
user538442
user538442

Reputation: 641

Can you set the current running directory from the java command line?

I am running a Java application from the command line. Can I specify a command line argument to set the current running directory to something other than where the application is actually going to run?

Upvotes: 23

Views: 40109

Answers (4)

user2407334
user2407334

Reputation: 937

I found this SO post and it helped me solve my problem. Though I wanted to share something specific about IntelliJ that might trip somebody else up.

I have posted a picture below where the -Duser.dir flag is used and also the Working Directory text field is filled in.

"Working Directory" field has lower precedence than the -Duser.dir flag.

In this situation, the Working Directory will be set to "JarLearning" rather than "2ndTry".

Upvotes: 0

Datta Rooyikar
Datta Rooyikar

Reputation: 441

There is a JVM argument -Duser.dir which can be used to set working directory for JVM.

Upvotes: 44

thoredge
thoredge

Reputation: 12611

If it all possible I would rather use a script to run the java application and set the directory in the script:

#!/bin/sh
cd <your dir>
java <some arguments>

The JNI-solution may affect all kinds of relative paths in your application; for examples the classpath you put in.

Upvotes: 6

Abel Morelos
Abel Morelos

Reputation: 1248

If you want to change the current directory, you'll have to use JNI and invoke a native API from your Java code. For example, for Windows you would use SetCurrentDirectory

Upvotes: 0

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