A file path is the address that identifies the location of a file or folder within a file system. It tells the operating system how to navigate through directories to reach a specific resource. File paths can be absolute, starting from the root of the system, or relative, based on the current working directory. They use separators such as slashes to represent folder boundaries. File paths allow programs to read configuration files, write logs, and locate assets needed for execution. Many bugs arise from incorrect paths, missing directories, or misunderstanding differences between operating systems.
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Operating systems differ in how they represent paths; for example, Windows uses backslashes, while Unix like systems use forward slashes. Paths may include special symbols like .. for navigating upward in the directory hierarchy. Security sensitive applications must validate file paths to avoid directory traversal attacks. Tools and programming languages often provide utilities to construct paths safely, reducing the risk of malformed strings. When working with AI generated scripts or commands, clearly specifying expected file paths prevents errors during execution.