Path.resolve

Path resolve(bool strict = false) const

Resolves this path similarly to Python's Path.resolve(strict=False):

  • Returns an absolute path with symlinks expanded where possible.
  • Detects symlink loops and throws an exception.
  • When strict is true, throws if any path component does not exist or a symlink cannot be read (e.g., broken link).
  • When strict is false, performs best-effort resolution: existing components and readable symlinks are resolved; missing components are appended without error.

Platform notes:

  • POSIX: Fully resolves symlinks using lstat/readlink behavior.
  • Windows: Currently does not dereference symlinks; returns absolutePath result. Loop detection and strict semantics are not guaranteed on Windows yet.

Performance:

  • Known limitation: Symlink chain resolution has O(n²) complexity in pathological cases where symlinks point to paths containing additional symlinks. This is due to the worklist being rebuilt from scratch when a symlink is encountered. For typical filesystem structures with limited symlink depth (bounded by LINK_LIMIT = 64), this is acceptable. A true O(n) fix would require significant restructuring.

    Parameters

    strictWhen true, fail on missing components and unreadable symlinks.

    Returns

    A new Path representing the resolved path.
Path resolve() const

Convenience overload: resolve() is equivalent to resolve(false)