Dynamic directories

[DanielLench_]

I want to set a variable ($SupportDir) that is called from a bunch of other lisps using vl-propogate. I want that variable to be conditional for when a user has synced with ACC the first time (we are rolling it out to the company shortly) or if they are on the VPN or using a local. This is in the acad.lsp and I input the $dir# above this block. Can someone please sanity-check this? Thanks!

(setq $Dir1 "ACC\Dir") ; this one does not exist for this example

(setq $Dir2 "VPN\Dir"); this one does exist

(setq $Dir3 "Local\Dir"); this one exists but we want dir2 to be used because of preference like the user is connected to the VPN

(setq $SupportDir
(cond
(vl-file-directory-p $Dir1 $Dir1)
(vl-file-directory-p $Dir2 $Dir2)
(vl-file-directory-p $Dir3 $Dir3)
(t (princ "Couldn't set Support directory-p"))
(princ $SupportDir)
)
)

my expectation is that $Dir2 will be set as the $SupportDir which is used throughout the ACAD session.

[DanielLench_]

@paullimapa, Got any ideas?

[paullimapa · Accepted solution]

Nice start and here are my thoughts:

In order for code to verify existence of directory, you'll have to provide complete path like:
c:\\ACC\\Dir

Note: AutoLISP requires double backslashes

You'll have to follow correct syntax for:

vl-file-directory-p

cond

So your code may end up something like:

(setq $Dir1 "C:\\ACC\\Dir") ; this one does not exist for this example
(setq $Dir2 "C:\\VPN\\Dir"); this one does exist
(setq $Dir3 "C:\\Local\\Dir"); this one exists but we want dir2 to be used because of preference like the user is connected to the VPN

 (cond
  ((vl-file-directory-p $Dir1) (setq $SupportDir $Dir1))
  ((vl-file-directory-p $Dir2) (setq $SupportDir $Dir2))
  ((vl-file-directory-p $Dir3) (setq $SupportDir $Dir3))
  (t (princ "Couldn't set Support directory-p"))
 )
 (princ $SupportDir)

[DanielLench_]

Thanks...

[paullimapa]

You’re welcome…cheers!!!

[DanielLench_]

Thanks, @paullimapa,

I already have the directories declared properly, the given ones are generic and just for the example. 

Looks like I was just missing the fact that the setq needs to be wrapped inside of the conditional test? So given that directories 2 and 3 exist, the code you provided will stop at dir2, which is the desired result?

I'm still wrapping my head around the cond function and don't really want to nest a bunch of if statements. 

Thanks brother!

[paullimapa]

Just continue to do trial and error on your own at AutoCADs command prompt. You can copy and paste the entire cond statements and see what it returns