How to Print the Resolved Path (realpath command).
In Linux, if we want to print the resolved path, we use the realpath command.
The realpath command is used to converts each filename argument to an absolute pathname, which has no components that are symbolic links or the special . (current directory) or .. (parent directory) entries. The realpath command and readlink commands display the resolved path for symlinks in the output.
- If we use the
realpath command then it will be the same effect as readlink -f with GNU readlink command.
- realpath command expands all symbolic links and resolves reference to /.
, /../ and extra / characters in the null-terminated string named by the path to producing a canonicalized absolute pathname.
The general syntax of the realpath command
realpath [OPTION]... FILE...
Brief description of options available with the 'realpath' command.
| Options |
Description |
-e, --canonicalize-existing |
all components of the path must exist |
-m, --canonicalize-missing |
no path components need to exist or be a directory |
-L, --logical |
resolve ' ..' components before symlinks |
-P, --physical |
resolve symlinks as encountered (default) |
-q, --quiet |
suppress most error messages |
--relative-base=DIR |
print absolute paths unless paths below DI |
--relative-to=DIR |
print the resolved path relative to DIR |
-z, --zero |
end each output line with NUL, not newline |
-s, --strip, --no-symlinks |
don't expand symlinks |
-z, --zero |
end each output link with NULL, not newline |
--help |
display help and exit |
--version |
output version information and exit |
Example: Display the absolute path of the current directory with realpath command
In this example, using realpath . . is used for the current directory. suppose we want to display the absolute path of the parent directory then we have to use .. for the parent directory.
Example: Display the absolute path without expanding symlinks with realpath command
In this example, using s option with the realpath command will expanding symlinks without an absolute path.
Example: Display the version information and exit for realpath command
for checking the version information of the realpath command execute realpath --version after executing this command the version information of realpath is prompt.
Example: Display help and exit (realpath command)
In this tutorial, only an important option with a description is defined for checking more about the realpath command execute realpath --help this will prompt all options available in realpath with a description.
Other useful usage option and syntax realpath command
# Require all path components to exist:
realpath --canonicalize-existing path_to/file_or_directory
# Resolve ".." components before symlinks:
realpath --logical path_to/file_or_directory
# Disable symlink expansion:
realpath --no-symlinks path_to/file_or_directory
# Suppress error messages:
realpath --quiet path_to/file_or_directory
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we covered how to converts each filename argument to an absolute pathname with available options and suitable examples. realpath command has the same effect as readlink -f with GNU readlink.
