python - How do I use '~' (tilde) in the context of paths?

Question

I'm a web application development noob. I have a function that opens a file and reads it. Unfortunately, the directory structures between the test and production servers differ. I was told to "use a path relative to ~". I haven't been able to find any resources on the '~', though!

How do I use the tilde character in the context of paths?

EDIT: This is in Python. I fixed the problem, using os.path.expanduser('~/path/in/home/area').

Answer 1

it is your $HOME var in UNIX, which usually is /home/username.

"Your home" meaning the home of the user who's executing a command like cd ~/MyDocuments/ is cd /home/user_executing_cd_commnd/MyDocuments