pure-bash-bible/manuscript/chapter5.txt

# FILE PATHS

## Get the directory name of a file path

Alternative to the `dirname` command.

**Example Function:**

```sh
dirname() {
    # Usage: dirname "path"
    local tmp=${1:-.}

    [[ $tmp != *[!/]* ]] && {
        printf '/\n'
        return
    }

    tmp=${tmp%%"${tmp##*[!/]}"}

    [[ $tmp != */* ]] && {
        printf '.\n'
        return
    }

    tmp=${tmp%/*}
    tmp=${tmp%%"${tmp##*[!/]}"}

    printf '%s\n' "${tmp:-/}"
}
```

**Example Usage:**

```shell
$ dirname ~/Pictures/Wallpapers/1.jpg
/home/black/Pictures/Wallpapers

$ dirname ~/Pictures/Downloads/
/home/black/Pictures
```

## Get the base-name of a file path

Alternative to the `basename` command.

**Example Function:**

```sh
basename() {
    # Usage: basename "path" ["suffix"]
    local tmp

    tmp=${1%"${1##*[!/]}"}
    tmp=${tmp##*/}
    tmp=${tmp%"${2/"$tmp"}"}

    printf '%s\n' "${tmp:-/}"
}
```

**Example Usage:**

```shell
$ basename ~/Pictures/Wallpapers/1.jpg
1.jpg

$ basename ~/Pictures/Wallpapers/1.jpg .jpg
1

$ basename ~/Pictures/Downloads/
Downloads
```

<!-- CHAPTER END -->