Why Does `%~dp0` Change Directory Paths When Called from C#?

Understanding Path Changes with %~dp0 in Batch Files Called from C#

Executing a batch file containing:

echo %~dp0
CD Arvind
echo %~dp0

from a C# program can result in a modified path displayed by %~dp0 after the CD command. This behavior is inconsistent with direct execution of the batch file.

The Root Cause:

The behavior is due to how cmd.exe handles the %~0 variable. When launched from C#, the quoted argument ("%~0") might be unquoted internally, leading to a relative path reference for the batch file instead of the absolute path.

Resolving the Path Issue

Here are solutions to ensure consistent path retrieval:

From C#:

1. Omit Quotes: Invoke the batch file without quotes: cmd /c batchfile.cmd

2. Provide Full Path: If quotes are required, specify the complete path to the batch file in the C# command.

From the Batch File:

Employ a subroutine to reliably determine the batch file's path:

@echo off
setlocal enableextensions disabledelayedexpansion

call :getCurrentBatch batchPath
echo %batchPath%

exit /b

:getCurrentBatch variableName
    set "%~1=%~f0"
    goto :eof

This subroutine uses %~f0 to obtain the fully qualified path of the batch file, storing it in the specified variable. This method avoids the inconsistencies arising from the %~dp0 variable's behavior when called from external applications.

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