std::filesystem::path::parent_path

path parent_path() const;

Returns the path to the parent directory.

If has_relative_path() returns false, the result is a copy of *this. Otherwise, the result is a path whose generic format pathname is the longest prefix of the generic format pathname of *this that produces one fewer element in its iteration.

Parameters

(none)

Return value

The path to the parent directory, or a copy of *this if not has_relative_path().

Exceptions

May throw implementation-defined exceptions.

Example

#include <filesystem>
#include <iostream>
namespace fs = std::filesystem;

int main()
{
    for (fs::path p : {"/var/tmp/example.txt", "/", "/var/tmp/."})
        std::cout << "The parent path of " << p
                  << " is " << p.parent_path() << '\n';
}

The parent path of "/var/tmp/example.txt" is "/var/tmp"
The parent path of "/" is "/"
The parent path of "/var/tmp/." is "/var/tmp"

See also