Getting the current directory

[RichardFoss]

Struggling to find the current directory when I create an executable.

I have created a Mac server application with a mix of html and Javascript and a lot of node.js module usage. I have two xml files that the server accesses and that reside in the same folder as the application.

When I run the application as follows:
./nwjs.app/Contents/MacOS/nwjs .
and find the current directory as follows:
var workingFolder = process.cwd();
then my working folder is the one where the application and xml files reside.

However, if I follow the 'package and distribute' guidelines (create a .nw file, name it app.nw, and put in contents/resources), and then run the .app executable, I get the following as the working folder:
/private/var/folders/3x/2hq40kzs59q8gj6yfn4ktj940000gn/T/.io.nwjs.nw.HcwnF2

I assume that the context changed. So I have been looking at alternatives to get the current directory. I tried:
var workingFolder = global.__dirname;
and got the same result. Then:
var workingFolder = process.env.PWD;
and got undefined (although this worked for the 'unpackaged' version)

How do I get the current directory?

Any ideas would be much appreciated!

[CosmoMyzrailGorynych]

global.__dirname and process.cwd() point to the folder where your package.json is placed. If you've packaged your app, this will usually be a random temporary folder with the full source of your application and package.json.

process.execPath shows instead the path of your execuatable file (nw itself). You can use such snippet to get this directory:

const path = require('path');
console.log(path.dirname(process.execPath));

Also, there exists nw.App.dataPath, which points to user's data folder of your application. This one is the most constant one.

[RichardFoss]

Thank you very much Cosmo! The directory I get is:
/Users/richardfoss/Documents/ImmergoTest/Immergo.app/Contents/Versions/5‌​0.0.2661.75/nwjs Helper.app/Contents/MacOS
I had previously renamed nwjs.app to Immergo.app. I now just search for Immergo.app and take the directory slice.
I would like to better understand the packaging process. For example, why nwjsHelper is called? If you know where there is documentation for this, I would appreciate it. Thanks again, Richard.

[CosmoMyzrailGorynych]

If you know where there is documentation for this

Afaik these are the only information about packaging:

http://docs.nwjs.io/en/latest/For%20Users/Package%20and%20Distribute/
https://github.com/nwjs/nw.js/wiki/How-to-package-and-distribute-your-apps

[RichardFoss]

Yes, that is where I got my info from. It looks as if this book has quite a bit of packaging info:
https://www.manning.com/books/cross-platform-desktop-applications
Also, as I understand there is work being done to package for Mac App Store.