How to get the temporary path using pytest tmpdir.as_cwd

In a python test function

def test_something(tmpdir):
    with tmpdir.as_cwd() as p:
        print('here', p)
        print(os.getcwd())

I was expecting p and the os.getcwd() would give the same result. But in reality, p points to the directory of the test file whereas os.getcwd() points to the expected temporary file.

Is this expected behavior?

Solution

Take a look at the docs of py.path.as_cwd:

return context manager which changes to current dir during the managed "with" context. On __enter__ it returns the old dir.

The behaviour you are observing is thus correct:

def test_something(tmpdir):
    print('current directory where you are before changing it:', os.getcwd())
    # the current directory will be changed now
    with tmpdir.as_cwd() as old_dir:
        print('old directory where you were before:', old_dir)
        print('current directory where you are now:', os.getcwd())
    print('you now returned to the old current dir', os.getcwd())

Just remember that p in your example is not the "new" current dir you are changing to, it's the "old" one you changed from.