How does one find "cygdrive path" in a Win ".bat" file (was Re: Bug in "startXwin.bat")

[Larry Hall (Cygwin)]

Linda Walsh wrote:
> Larry Hall (Cygwin X) wrote:
>> Linda Walsh wrote:
>>> The startxwin.sh script works, but startxwin.bat does not work if
>>> your Cygwin installation isn't in the default location.
>>>
>>> You could use "mount -p" (presuming your cygwin\bin is in your 
>>> windows path, as mine is).
>>>
>>> If not, need to look in the registry:
>>> "\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions\Cygwin\mounts 
>>> v2\cygdrive prefix"
>>
>> No, you don't need to look in the registry.  There's nothing there that
>> 'mount' won't tell you.  Forget about the registry.  You'll be better
>> off, especially when Cygwin 1.7 is released.
> ---
>     I'm curious -- how does mount find or 'know' the cygdrive path
> if it doesn't come from the registry.

How it finds it is an implementation detail.  There's no need to know
how it does what it does if it does what you want. ;-)  And, like I said,
the registry won't be used for 1.7 so anyone that uses this as a basis
of anything will find it "broken" once 1.7 is released.

>     For that matter, how would a windows .bat file find the
> 'mount.exe' binary if the .bat file doesn't know 'cygdrive path'?

That's a different issue.  However you imply a paradox that doesn't
exist.  Whether one knows the 'cygdrive path' or not will not make it
easier to find 'mount.exe'.  'mount.exe' is always in '/bin'.  As for
the issue of finding '/bin', there may be times when it is necessary
to script this, though I would say this is not one of those cases.
For those cases, searching the file-system or spelunking in the
registry are possible avenues, each with their own pluses and minuses.
In this case, just looking at 'cygwin.bat' will provide the answer
needed.

-- 
Larry Hall                              http://www.rfk.com
RFK Partners, Inc.                      (508) 893-9779 - RFK Office
216 Dalton Rd.                          (508) 893-9889 - FAX
Holliston, MA 01746

_____________________________________________________________________

A: Yes.
 > Q: Are you sure?
 >> A: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.
 >>> Q: Why is top posting annoying in email?

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