Storing /home/ directory in DOSBox via using a variable in GNU/Linux \ VOGONS

Storing /home/ directory in DOSBox via using a variable in GNU/Linux

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First post, by RobertX

Posted on 2025-06-15, 08:06

RobertX Offline

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In a GNU/Linux distro, I am interested in storing a variable that contains the current /home/ directory.

In that past, I would have to ask the user to input the Home directory of the user in question.

I want the procedure to be automated.

This was how I did it:

1# Ask for user name
2STRINGS user = ASK Please enter your user name:
3
4#Mount User drive
5mount c /home/%user%/.dosbox/

So, how can I just mount the directory by itself? Does GNU/Linux store the home directory by itself, or do I have to stick with asking for the Home directory every time?

EDIT: I think I have to explain why I mount the user directory every time I start up DOSBox. Simply, I do it because that's where I store the programs/games in, nowhere else. I like my stuff structured and organised.

Reply 1 of 6, by Ringding

Posted on 2025-06-15, 09:01

Ringding Offline

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Just use the -c command line switch! This is what I do: <path-to>/dosbox -c "mount c ~/temp/dosbox"

Reply 2 of 6, by wierd_w

Posted on 2025-06-15, 13:37

wierd_w Offline

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If this is not something that changes based on who has logged in, (eg, only one user, and the home dir is always the same dir), why not just add the line in dosbox.conf?

If this changes based on who is logged in, then a bash script that uses variables, and the -c invocation as shown above, is the better way. You can pass a command line argument or system variable in with the right decoration.

Reply 3 of 6, by zirkoni

Posted on 2025-06-15, 14:02

zirkoni Offline

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The current user is stored in the $USER variable so this should work:

1dosbox -c "mount c /home/$USER/.dosbox"

Another option is to use the $HOME variable:

1dosbox -c "mount c $HOME/.dosbox"

https://youtube.com/@zirkoni42

Reply 4 of 6, by Qbix

Posted on 2025-06-15, 15:58

Qbix Offline

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put this in your config file

1mount c ~

or if you want that specific path

1mount c ~/.dosbox

Water flows down the stream
How to ask questions the smart way!

Reply 5 of 6, by RobertX

Posted on 2025-06-16, 06:06

RobertX Offline

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zirkoni wrote on 2025-06-15, 14:02:
The current user is stored in the $USER variable so this should work: […]
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The current user is stored in the $USER variable so this should work:
1dosbox -c "mount c /home/$USER/.dosbox"
Another option is to use the $HOME variable:
1dosbox -c "mount c $HOME/.dosbox"

I would use this, but the answer I seek is the one I can enter in the AUTOEXEC.BAT of the DOSBox program.

Reply 6 of 6, by RobertX

Posted on 2025-06-16, 06:09

RobertX Offline

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Qbix wrote on 2025-06-15, 15:58:
put this in your config file […]
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put this in your config file
1mount c ~
or if you want that specific path
1mount c ~/.dosbox

I'll try that. Thanks!

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