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

Question

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?

Not sure that this is a duplicate, but can be helpful http://stackoverflow.com/questions/840190/changing-the-current-working-directory-in-java — khachik, Dec 14 '10 at 18:30
Yes, that may be helpful. new File(parent, path) might work. I will have to try it. Reason why I posted this question is I am trying to use a profiler on a dll that my application loads. Since I have to essentially profile java.exe, the current working directory gets set to my jdk folder and throws off my relative paths in my application. — user538442, Dec 14 '10 at 18:33
Your profiler should have an option to set starting directory. Or maybe it is possible to write a BAT file and tell profiler to run it? — Sergei Tachenov, Dec 14 '10 at 18:54
It does, but the application will not run when I set that for whatever reason — user538442, Dec 14 '10 at 19:20

score 42 · Answer 1 · edited Mar 02 '12 at 18:56

42

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

edited Mar 02 '12 at 18:56

Tim Cooper

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answered Mar 02 '12 at 07:53

Datta Rooyikar

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score 5 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 15 '10 at 08:55

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.

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 14 '10 at 18:34

0

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

answered Dec 14 '10 at 18:34

Abel Morelos

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I am using JNI so this might be a possible solution. – user538442 Dec 14 '10 at 18:35
This would make your code completely non-portable, of course. – Jim Garrison Dec 15 '10 at 03:31

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 30 '17 at 21:43

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.

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

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

4 Answers4

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