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$BaseDirectory

$BaseDirectory
gives the base directory in which systemwide files to be loaded by Mathematica are conventionally placed.

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$BaseDirectory returns the full name of the directory as a string.

Typical values are:

	C:\DocumentsandSettings\AllUsers\ApplicationData\Mathematica
		Windows
	/Library/Mathematica	Macintosh
	/usr/share/Mathematica	Unix

The value of $BaseDirectory can be specified by setting the MATHEMATICA_BASE operating system environment variable when the Mathematica kernel is launched. It cannot be reset from inside the kernel.

Typical subdirectories of $BaseDirectory are:

	Applications	Mathematica application packages
	Autoload	packages to be autoloaded on startup
	FrontEnd	front end initialization files
	Kernel	kernel initialization files
	Licensing	license management files
	SystemFiles	general system files

These subdirectories are, if possible, created automatically the first time Mathematica is run.

Appropriate subdirectories are automatically included on $Path.

The subdirectories of $BaseDirectory are given in $Path after the corresponding subdirectories of $UserBaseDirectory.

Basic Examples (2)

The base directory in which systemwide files are placed:

Subdirectories and files of $BaseDirectory:

$UserBaseDirectory $InstallationDirectory $InitialDirectory $HomeDirectory $RootDirectory

Naming and Finding Files

Mathematica File Organization

System Administration for Single-User Licenses

System Administration for Network Licenses

Notebook Security

Directories & Directory Operations

Mathematica System Setup

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