temporary files

create a temporary file

# create file in /tmp (e.g. /tmp/tmp.PlxvgEhcsw)
mktemp

# create dir in /tmp (e.g. /tmp/tmp.1nbcQ2HZPN)
mktemp -d

# create file with shorter suffix (e.g. /tmp/foobar.QVr)
mktemp /tmp/foobar.XXX

# create file with custom suffix (e.g. /tmp/tmp.GyijQde12a.TEMP)
mktemp --suffix ".TEMP" 

# create file in working directory
mktemp --tmpdir=$(pwd) (e.g. /home/donhogo/tmp.pDCO25UfJu)

create a temporary file in a script

# create temporary file
TMP_FILE=$(mktemp --tmpdir=$(pwd))

# clean up file on exit
trap "rm -f $TMP_FILE" EXIT

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last updated: Sat Aug 12 14:29:24 2023