Western Governors University (WGU) ICSC2211 D684 Introduction to Computer Science Practice Test

A relative path is defined as a path that specifies the location of a file or directory starting from the current working directory. This means that it describes the location in relation to where the user currently is within the directory structure, allowing for a more dynamic and context-sensitive way of accessing files and directories.

For instance, if your current directory is `/home/user/docs` and you want to refer to a file located at `/home/user/docs/project/report.txt`, you can simply use `project/report.txt`. This is advantageous because it makes it easier to reference files without needing to provide the full absolute path, which can be cumbersome and take up unnecessary space.

In contrast, an absolute path outlines the full route from the root of the file system to the desired file or directory, making it independent of the current working directory. Understanding both relative and absolute paths is crucial for efficient navigation and file management in computing environments.