Filesystem Hierarchy Standard

3.15 /tmp : Temporary files

3.15.1 Purpose

The /tmp directory must be made available for programs that require temporary files.

Programs must not assume that any files or directories in /tmp are preserved between invocations of the program.

BEGIN RATIONALE

IEEE standard P1003.2 (POSIX, part 2) makes requirements that are similar to the above section.

Although data stored in /tmp may be deleted in a site-specific manner, it is recommended that files and directories located in /tmp be deleted whenever the system is booted.

FHS added this recommendation on the basis of historical precedent and common practice, but did not make it a requirement because system administration is not within the scope of this standard.

END RATIONALE


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Translated by troff2html v1.5 on 29 March 2002 by Daniel Quinlan