5.2 Navigate the tree of directory with the R console

• Get the path of the current directory (know where you are working at the moment) with getwd (get working directory):

getwd()

Hit Enter/Return to execute getwd() in the R console.

• Change working directory with setwd (set working directory)
  (in a Windows or MAC OS system, you would typically double-click to reach sub-directories).
  Here we use commands/fonctions in the R console:
  

Go to a directory giving the absolute path (the entire address):

setwd("/users/bi/sbonnin/Rcourse")

Same as:

setwd("~/Rcourse")

Go to a directory giving the relative path. For example, if you are in Rcourse, you can either go to Module1 using the absolute path:

setwd("/users/bi/sbonnin/Rcourse/Module1")

or the relative path:

setwd("Module1")

You are now in: “~/Rcourse/Module1” (check it with getwd() !).
Move one directory “up” the tree:

setwd("..")

You are now in: “~/Rcourse”

HANDS-ON

1. Execute the following command in the R console:

setwd("/")

2. Where are you now? (use getwd())
3. Find your way back to the Module1 folder