Create default ArcToolbox parameter with current folder location of ArcToolbox .tbx

Question

I have an ArcToolbox tool I created based on a script I wrote that needs an input parameter that equals the folder location of the ArcToolbox .tbx file from which the tool runs. I am distributing the toolbox, so users can run it from a variety of locations. How do I create a folder parameter that autofills with a default of the current .tbx location?

I have tried writing a bit of python under the Validation tab of the Tool properties:

def updateParameters(self):
    """Modify the values and properties of parameters before internal
    validation is performed.  This method is called whenever a parameter
    has been changed."""

    stringFilter = self.params[1].filter

    list = []

    pathname = os.path.realpath(".")

    list.append(pathname)

    stringFilter.list = list
    if not self.params[1].altered:
        self.params[1].value = stringFilter.list[0]


return

But when I run the tool, the only text that autofills into the parameter reads, "RemoteDatabase"

Answer 1

What you're looking for is the __file__ variable, which in this case will contain a path such as:

C:\Users\users\Documents\ArcGIS\Toolbox.tbx#Script.InitializeParameters.py

So just do a pathname = os.path.dirname(__file__) to get the folder in which the .tbx resides.