In Node.js how can I tell the path of `this` module?

Question

In a Node.js module I would like to open a file--i.e, with fs.readFile()--that is contained in the same directory as my module. By which I mean it is in the same directory as the ./node_modules/<module_name>/index.js file.

It looks like all relative path operations which are performed by the fs module take place relative to the directory in which Node.js is started. As such, I think I need to know how to get the path of the current Node.js module which is executing.

Thanks.

You can use `__dirname` and `__filename` to get information about the location of the module. — Pindatjuh, Apr 14 '11 at 14:12

score 52 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 29 '16 at 13:43

52

As david van brink mentioned in the comments, the correct solution is to use __dirname. This global variable will return the path of the currently executing script (i.e. you might need to use ../ to reach the root of your module).

For example:

var path = require("path");
require(path.join(__dirname, '/models'));

Just to save someone from a headache.

edited Dec 29 '16 at 13:43

Asaf

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answered Feb 05 '13 at 18:07

Afshin Mehrabani

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In Node.js how can I tell the path of `this` module?

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