# Command Question

**URL:** <https://community.unix.com/t/command-question/228195>\
**Category:** UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers\
**Created:** [January 19, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/command-question/228195 "2009-01-19T13:31:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jayden](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/jayden/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@Jayden](https://community.unix.com/u/Jayden)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/command-question/228195/1 "2009-01-19T13:31:51Z")

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What does 'directory=`pwd $1` ' mean, I know pwd is present working directory, so does that command take the present working directory of the directory the user is in depending on the varible ($1)?

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**Author:** ![joeyg](https://community.unix.com/user_avatar/community.unix.com/joeyg/32/780_2.png) [@joeyg](https://community.unix.com/u/joeyg)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 1:39pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/command-question/228195/2 "2009-01-19T13:39:16Z")

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I don't think the $1 will have any effect. I am not aware of pwd processing any options.

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**Author:** ![methyl](https://community.unix.com/letter_avatar/methyl/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@methyl](https://community.unix.com/u/methyl)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://community.unix.com/t/command-question/228195/3 "2009-01-19T22:11:23Z")

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I agree with joeyg. There are no options to pwd.  
The command is maybe trying to compose the full path to a subdirectory but the space character after pwd makes this unlikely.