---
name: "FindExec"
section: "3"
platform: "macos"
package: "tcl"
version: "152"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/FindExec"
---

# FindExec(3)

identify or return the name of the binary file containing the application

## NAME

Tcl\_FindExecutable, Tcl\_GetNameOfExecutable - identify or return the name of the binary file containing the application

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <tcl.h>

void
Tcl_FindExecutable(argv0)

const char *
Tcl_GetNameOfExecutable()
```

## ARGUMENTS

The first command-line argument to the program, which gives the application's name.

## DESCRIPTION

The **Tcl\_FindExecutable** procedure computes the full path name of the executable file from which the application was invoked and saves it for Tcl's internal use. The executable's path name is needed for several purposes in Tcl.  For example, it is needed on some platforms in the implementation of the **load** command. It is also returned by the **info nameofexecutable** command.

On UNIX platforms this procedure is typically invoked as the very first thing in the application's main program;  it must be passed *argv\[0\]* as its argument.  It is important not to change the working directory before the invocation. **Tcl\_FindExecutable** uses *argv0* along with the **PATH** environment variable to find the application's executable, if possible.  If it fails to find the binary, then future calls to **info nameofexecutable** will return an empty string.

**Tcl\_GetNameOfExecutable** simply returns a pointer to the internal full path name of the executable file as computed by **Tcl\_FindExecutable**.  This procedure call is the C API equivalent to the **info nameofexecutable** command.  NULL is returned if the internal full path name has not been computed or unknown.

## KEYWORDS

binary, executable file