@c ----------------------------------------------------------------------

@node dirname, file system
@findex dirname
@subheading Syntax

@example
#include <unistd.h>

char * dirname (const char *fname);
@end example

@subheading Description

This function returns the directory part of the argument @var{fname}
copied to a buffer allocated by calling @code{malloc}.  The directory
part is everything up to but not including the rightmost slash (either
forward- or backslash) in @var{fname}.  If @var{fname} includes a drive
letter but no slashes, the function will return @code{@var{x}:.} where
@var{x} is the drive letter.  If @var{fname} includes neither the drive
letter nor any slashes, @code{"."} will be returned.  Trailing slashes
are removed from the result, unless it is a root directory, with or
without a drive letter.

@subheading Return value

The directory part in malloc'ed storage, or a NULL pointer of either
there's not enough free memory, or @var{fname} is a NULL pointer.

@subheading Portability

@portability !ansi, !posix

@subheading Example

@example
 printf ("The parent of current directory is %s\n", 
         dirname (getcwd (0, PATH_MAX)));
@end example