:   '''file dirname''' ''name''

Returns a name comprised of all of the path components in ''name'' excluding the last element. If ''name'' is a relative file name and only contains one path element, then returns "'''.'''" (or "''':'''" on the pre-OSX Macintosh). If ''name'' refers to a root directory, then the root directory is returned. For example,
======
 file dirname c:/
======
returns '''c:/'''.

Note that tilde substitution will only be performed if it is necessary to complete the command. For example,
======
 file dirname ~/src/foo.c
======
returns '''~/src''', whereas
======
 file dirname ~
======
returns '''/home''' (or something similar).

----
**See also**
   * [file]
   * [file rootname]
   * [file tail]
<<categories>> Tcl syntax help | Command | Introspection