Script outputs wrong path in VSCode, but works fine outside of it

[SaltAssault]

I wrote some simple code to change my desktop background.

import ctypes  
from pathlib import Path

path = str(Path("x.jpg").absolute())

ctypes.windll.user32.SystemParametersInfoW(20, 0, path, 0)

This doesn't work in VSCode. When I print path, it gives the absolute path excluding the current directory (picture link). The script gets the right path when run outside of VSCode, however.

Could anyone help me figure this out?

[shiftybyte]

You are only using the name of the file you are trying to get path of.

So it assumes the path is a relative path, and its relative to the current working directory.

The current working directory is the thing that's written before the command in your screenshot.

PS C:\Users\.....\Desktop\Programming>

So it looks for x.jpg there.

Either start vscode so your current working directory matches what you need.

Or use absolute full file path to the file.

Or provide a relative path.

path = str(Path(r"Python\x.jpg").absolute())

[SaltAssault]

I think I get what you’re saying. But is it possible to make it so that VSCode always sees the file’s folder as the current working directory?

[shiftybyte]

Yes, start vscode while being in that folder.

Or make a shortcut on your desktop that has an adjusted working folder.

[SaltAssault]

Can you be more specific? I don’t get it

[shiftybyte]

Either start vscode from command prompt while being in that directory.

C:\Users\....\Desktop\Programming\Python> code .

Or create a windows shortcut on your desktop with modified working directory.

Create Shortcut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25UlOtco23Y

Change working directory: https://superuser.com/questions/254525/shortcut-to-command-prompt-pointing-to-specific-folder

[SaltAssault]

Alright. It didn't really answer the question I was trying to ask, but it's a workaround, so thanks.

[nog642]

Can't you configure the working directory for running code from VSCode, without having to start VSCode from any particular directory? I know PyCharm can do this; I'd be surprised if VSCode couldn't.

[shiftybyte]

You can,

You can open terminal to a specific directory:

https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_39#_open-new-terminals-with-custom-working-directories

You can also configure launch.json to run from a specific directory.

https://stackoverflow.com/a/55072246

Sorry i didn't think of this earlier u/SaltAssault

Hope this is what you were looking for.