*default-pathname-defaults* (ANSI and GNU Common Lisp Document)

19.4.10 default-pathname-defaults [Variable]

Value Type::

a pathname object.

Initial Value::

An implementation-dependent pathname, typically in the working directory that was current when Common Lisp was started up.

Description::

a pathname, used as the default whenever a function needs a default pathname and one is not supplied.

Examples::

 ;; This example illustrates a possible usage for a hypothetical Lisp running on a
 ;; DEC TOPS-20 file system.  Since pathname conventions vary between Lisp 
 ;; implementations and host file system types, it is not possible to provide a
 ;; general-purpose, conforming example.
 *default-pathname-defaults* ⇒  #P"PS:<FRED>"
 (merge-pathnames (make-pathname :name "CALENDAR"))
⇒  #P"PS:<FRED>CALENDAR"
 (let ((*default-pathname-defaults* (pathname "<MARY>")))
   (merge-pathnames (make-pathname :name "CALENDAR")))
⇒  #P"<MARY>CALENDAR"

Affected By::

The implementation.