Moved Library File (*.itl) without damage  HuH?

This is an odd question.  It's odd because everyting is working well, and given the stupid thing I did, they shouldn't.
In the course of moving some files around recently, I moved the folder that holds the database (iTunes Library.itl) for my I-Tunes library.  I didn't move the library itself - just the folder with the database file in it.
Moving the folder was an accident.  I didn't intend to do so, but I did.
What's puzzling to me is that this mistake did not cause me any problems.
It seems to me that what should have happend is that the next time I started I-Tunes, it should have been unable to find the database, and it should have prompted to me either find it or ask for the creation of a new one.
But, that didn't happen.  It opened like normal.  All my music was still listed in the library.  All the playlists were intact.
How come?  How did I-Tunes know where to find the database.  Does it do a search when it can't find one?
One last hint:  I think I-Tunes might have been open when I mistakenly moved the folder with the database.  Does that enable it to notice that the file is being moved and to update its pointer to the location?
I guess I shouldn't look a gift-horse in the mouth.  I avoided a problem, but the fact that there's no problem challenges my confidence that I understand how this works.  That's why I'm asking the question.
Does anybody have any insight that would shed light on this?
John

If you moved the folder when the library was open then the one file that won't have actually moved would have been the .itl file. Other files in that folder will be regenerated if missing.
For details of what will and won't break when you move things around see this post of mine.
A recent change (not sure when) means that if your library file isn't where it is expected to be then iTunes will just create a new blank library in that location. Previously this would only happen if that location was also the default <Users's Music>\iTunes folder, otherwise you would get the Choose or Create library prompt.
tt2

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