Setting working directory in R (Jumping directories) -

r doesn't allow me set newly created folder working directory if jump folders. don't set working directories way, curious why exhibiting behaviour.

first set working directory:

original_directory <-setwd('c:/users/rooirokbokkie/documents')

now want create 2 folders in current working directory folder_2 being sub-folder of folder_1:

dir.create(file.path('folder_1', 'folder_2'), recursive = true)

when try set folder_2 working directory:

setwd('folder_2')

i following error:

error in setwd("folder_2") : cannot change working directory

but if set folder_1 working directory first, works:

setwd('folder_1')

setwd('folder_2')

getwd()

[1] c:/users/rooirokbokkie/documents/folder_1/folder_2" `

but when try 1 folder gives error again:

setwd('folder_1')

error in setwd("folder_1") : cannot change working directory

but can set original working directory again fine:

setwd(original_directory)

getwd()

[1] "c:/users/rooirokbokkie/documents"

what gives?

one option specify full path folder_2 (as noted in comments).

the other option, since folder_2 subfolder of folder_1 , folder_1 in current working directory, can specify relative path starting current working directory. in order set working directory folder_2 need specify:

setwd("folder_1/folder_2") 

now if want jump , forth, can following:

# capture "old" working directory old_dir <- getwd() # set new wd folder_2: setwd("folder_1/folder_2") # jump folder_1: setwd(paste0(old_dir, "/folder_1")) # jump original wd: setwd(old_dir)