Change default directory in Emacs startup in Linux(CentOS 7) -

i learning emacs nowadays. so, it's pretty frustrating find basic settings not directly accessible in menu bars.

i searched changing default directory pops when use c-x c-f create/search file.

find file: ~/cursor_blinking

emacs version = gnu emacs 24.3

everywhere have suggested change default directory in ~/.emacs, or ~/.emacs.el, or ~/.emacs.d/init.el; whichever exists. in case, none of them exists. ~/.emacs.d directory exists,but there doesn't exist such file.

i tried changing working directory using emacs command `cd', but, of no avail.

also, similar questions have been asked here windows os, not case.

how should work, given want set default-directory "my directory"?

those 3 names possible names emacs configuration file. if none of exists, create 1 of them put configuration in it.

the emacs command cd meant change default directory. can use interactively m-x cd, or call configuration file (cd "my directory"). in second case change permanent. note default directory buffer-local setting, can have different 1 each buffer, , changing on 1 buffer won't affect buffer that's open.

by way, activating 1 of emacs extensions ido-mode let navigate directories quicker might make changing default directory unnecessary.