01-4-Directory-Operations.md

📁 Directory Operations (MD, RD, DIR, CD, PUSHD, POPD)

1. 📂 MD / MKDIR – Create a Directory

   Both MD and MKDIR do the same thing: create a new folder.

   ✅ Syntax

   MD foldername
   MKDIR foldername

   🔹 Examples

   MD Logs
   MD D:\Backups\2025\July

   • If the full path doesn't exist, it creates all missing folders (like mkdir -p in Unix).
   • No error if the folder already exists.

2. 🧹 RD / RMDIR – Remove a Directory

   Used to delete folders. If the folder is not empty, you must use the /S flag.

   ✅ Syntax

   RD foldername
   RD /S /Q foldername

   Option	Description
   /S	Remove all subfolders and files
   /Q	Quiet mode (no prompt)

   🔹 Examples

   RD EmptyFolder
   RD /S /Q Logs\OldReports

3. 📋 DIR – List Directory Contents

   Shows the contents of a directory, like ls in Unix.

   ✅ Syntax

   DIR [path] [/options]

   Option	Description
   /B	Bare format (just names)
   /S	Include subdirectories
   /A	Filter by attributes
   /O	Sort output
   /T	Which time field to use

   🔹 Examples

   DIR
   DIR /B *.txt
   DIR /S /B *.log > loglist.txt
   DIR /O:-D             :: Sort by date descending

4. 📌 CD / CHDIR – Change Current Directory

   Changes the working directory for the script.

   ✅ Syntax

   CD folder
   CD ..
   CD /D drive:\path

   Option	Description
   /D	Change drive and directory simultaneously

   🔹 Examples

   CD D:\Projects
   CD /D C:\Scripts\Logs
   CD ..

   ---

   📍 Current Directory in a Variable

   SET CURDIR=%CD%
   ECHO You are in: %CURDIR%

5. 🌀 PUSHD and POPD – Directory Stack Navigation

   These are often underused, but extremely useful when jumping around directories in a script.

   🔁 PUSHD: Go to a directory, save current one

   🔁 POPD: Return to last directory from stack

   🔹 Example

   PUSHD C:\Temp
   :: do something in Temp
   POPD

   This is safer and cleaner than manually changing back using CD.

   ✅ Nested Navigation Example

   PUSHD D:\Backups\July
   :: Run copy or cleanup here
   PUSHD Logs
   :: Nested operation
   POPD
   POPD

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🛠️ Real-World Examples

1. 📁 Create Folder Structure for a New Project

   MD MyApp
   CD MyApp
   MD Logs
   MD Config
   MD Temp

2. 🧼 Clean Up a Directory

   IF EXIST OldData (
       RD /S /Q OldData
   )

3. 📊 List All .csv Files in Subfolders

   DIR /S /B *.csv > csv_files.txt

4. 🔄 Temporarily Navigate and Return

   PUSHD C:\Source
   COPY *.txt D:\Archive\
   POPD

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⚠️ Gotchas and Best Practices

Tip / Problem	Solution
Quoting paths with spaces	Always use double quotes "C:\My Folder\"
CD doesn’t change drive	Use CD /D or PUSHD
Folder already exists	MD won’t error — safe for repeat use
Want to preserve original location	Use PUSHD and POPD
Output clutter from DIR	Use /B or redirect to file

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🧠 Summary

Command	Description
MD	Make a new directory
RD	Remove directory
DIR	List contents of a directory
CD	Change working directory
PUSHD	Change + remember current folder
POPD	Go back to remembered folder