2.1.5.1 Dot Directory Names

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The pathname components of "." (single period) and ".." (two periods) are reserved as dot directory names.

Except where explicitly permitted, a pathname component that is a dot directory name MUST NOT be sent over the wire.

When parsing pathname components, a dot directory name of "." refers to the current directory name component and a dot directory name of ".." refers to the parent directory name of the current directory name component.

Some examples to illustrate:

  • In the pathname "dirA\.\dirB", the "." refers to dirA, so this expression is equivalent to "dirA\dirB".

  • In the pathname "dirA\dirB\..\dirC", the ".." refers to dirA, so this expression is equivalent to "dirA\dirC".

A dot directory name of ".." at the root of a share MUST be treated as equivalent to ".". For example: \\ServerX\ShareY\..\dirA is equivalent to \\ServerX\ShareY\.\dirA (which is equivalent to \\ServerX\ShareY\dirA).