pythonchdir

Change directory in terminal using python


I'm writing a simple script to change the present working directory to some other directory. The following script works okay until the program terminates, after which I'm back to my home directory.

#!/usr/bin/python

import os

if __name__ == '__main__':
    os.chdir("/home/name/projects/python")
    os.system("pwd")
    print 'dir changed'

Output is:

bash:~$ python chdir.py
/home/name/projects/python
dir changed
bash:~$ pwd
/home/name

I want the directory change to remain even after the program has exited. Any ideas how to do it?

Edit: What I really want to do is this: I use this directory frequently and instead of doing cd <path> every time I open the terminal, I just write ./progname and it changes the directory.


Solution

  • If you want the directory change to remain even after the program has exited. You can end the python script with os.system("/bin/bash"), this will leave you in bash shell inside the new directory.

    #!/usr/bin/python
    import os
    if __name__ == '__main__':
        os.chdir("/home/name/projects/python")
        os.system("pwd")
        os.system("/bin/bash")
    

    For the need raised in your comment "I use this directory frequently and instead of doind cd <path> every time I open the terminal, I just write ./progname and it changes the directory"
    I would suggest using bash alias which will change directory:

    bash:~$ alias mycd='cd /home/name/projects/python'
    

    and use this alias in bash shell in order to change the directory:

    bash:~$ mycd
    

    You can add this alias to your .bashrc - which will allow you to use this alias every time.