What why is 'dir()' named 'dir' in python?

Question

In Python there is a built-in function called dir. This is used to get a list of all the attributes for an object.

I understand what it does, but I am confused about why it is called dir. How is this name related to getting the attributes from an object?

Answer 1

It gives you a directory of all attributes of an object.

This is not a directory as used in file systems, but the standard usage: a listing of names or data.

Answer 2

You're retrieving a "directory", a list of all of the stuff that's available in some resource.