bash - How do I get the directory from where I call the script when the script itself is in a different directory? -

this question has answer here:

• getting source directory of bash script within 48 answers

i making few custom commands use on debian server , putting them in /usr/bin folder.

one custom command wish make involves getting directory call script, not directory in script resides.

nearly of questions find on here involve getting working directory using

a=$pwd 

or

a=$(pwd) 

this returns directory in script resides.

edit: aware of

$oldpwd 

the above work of time.

is possible want?

current form of script:

#!/bin/bash if [ -z "$1" ]     a=$(pwd)     echo "unlocking current directory."     sudo chmod 777 -r $a else     echo "unlocking directory @ \"$1\""     sudo chmod 777 -r $1 fi 

one custom command wish make involves getting directory call script,

try this

#!/bin/bash pwd 

contrary you've mentioned pwd should give place script called

sample run

user@host:~/documents/so$ ./myscript.sh /home/me/documents/so user@host:~/documents/so$ cd .. user@host:~/documents$ ./so/myscript.sh  /home/me/documents 

to contrary, if wish know script exists within script - no matter called - do

#!/bin/bash  readlink -m "$(which $0)" #method1 readlink -m "${bash_source}" #method2 , preferred reasons mentioned @charlesduffy's comments