source: vendor/current/docs-xml/smbdotconf/base/path.xml

<samba:parameter name="path"
                 context="S"
                 type="string"
                 xmlns:samba="http://www.samba.org/samba/DTD/samba-doc">
<synonym>directory</synonym>
<description>
        <para>This parameter specifies a directory to which 
        the user of the service is to be given access. In the case of 
        printable services, this is where print data will spool prior to 
        being submitted to the host for printing.</para>

        <para>For a printable service offering guest access, the service 
        should be readonly and the path should be world-writeable and 
        have the sticky bit set. This is not mandatory of course, but 
        you probably won't get the results you expect if you do 
        otherwise.</para>

        <para>Any occurrences of <parameter moreinfo="none">%u</parameter> in the path 
        will be replaced with the UNIX username that the client is using 
        on this connection. Any occurrences of <parameter moreinfo="none">%m</parameter> 
        will be replaced by the NetBIOS name of the machine they are 
        connecting from. These replacements are very useful for setting 
        up pseudo home directories for users.</para>

<para>Note that this path will be based on <smbconfoption name="root dir"/>
         if one was specified.</para>
        </description>

        <value type="default"></value>
        <value type="example">/home/fred</value>
</samba:parameter>