Dir

Dir is a term in computing with two common meanings. It can refer to a command line utility in DOS and Windows that displays the contents of a directory, and it is also an abbreviation for directory, the basic container in a filesystem that holds files and other directories.

A directory, also called a folder in some contexts, is a hierarchical container used by a filesystem to organize data. It stores files and can contain subdirectories, forming a tree structure. Paths specify location within the hierarchy and use different separators: Windows typically uses backslashes (for example, C:\Users\Name), while Unix-like systems use forward slashes (for example, /home/name). Directories have associated metadata such as permissions, timestamps, and ownership that govern access and behavior.

The dir command in Windows is a feature of the command prompt (cmd.exe) and is used to list files and subdirectories in a specified directory. Basic usage is dir [path] with optional switches to control output. Common options include /W for a wide listing, /P to pause after each screen, /S to include subdirectories, and /A to filter by attributes (such as hidden or system files). In PowerShell, dir is an alias for Get-ChildItem, which provides similar functionality in a different syntax.

In other operating systems, directory listing tools may vary. The Unix and Linux standard tool is typically ls, while some environments provide a dir utility as an alternative or alias. The concept of a directory as a container within a hierarchical filesystem is universal across modern computing.