Having Matlab automatically choose the directory I am in

All,

I have a code that references the user directory that I am in:

userDir = uigetdir('C:\','Browse to station directory');

filePath = [userDir,'\station_data_',datestr(now,30),'.txt'];
fid = fopen(filePath,'w');

Then the rest of my code (which is not listed here) executes based on the directory that I choose. I will say that I always want to choose the directory that I am in (The one that is listed on the left side of Matlab under "current folder").

Is there any way to not have to prompt the user to input the directory I am in, and just have Matlab automatically use the directory that I am in when I run the code?

I want to eliminate the need to prompt the user to use the current folder that I am in by having him/her typing it in with the prompt:

userDir = uigetdir('C:\','Browse to station directory');

Any help is greatly appreciated. Respectfully, Charles

[Adam]

p = mfilename('fullpath')

can be very useful if you want a directory that will not change that you can use to create relative paths from. It returns the full path of the currently executing m-file.

If you are happy that your current user directory will always be the one you wish to append to though then the cyclist's answer below is the correct one.

I added this as a comment though as it is a useful function to know about when you need to use code relative to certain directories.

Answer 1

[the cyclist]

pwd returns the current directory. On Unix-based machines, the tilde (~) is shorthand for the current directory.

Answer 2

[Image Analyst]

I would not do that. I virtually never use cd. I would take the advice of the FAQ and just keep track of and use the folder and use full filenames all the time. See the FAQ for code samples: http://matlab.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#Where_did_my_file_go.3F_The_risks_of_using_the_cd_function.