/tmp and /var/tmp

Posted Mar 31, 2011 19:43 UTC (Thu) by vonbrand (subscriber, #4458)
In reply to: /tmp and /var/tmp by Cyberax
Parent article: Introducing /run

The user temporary files are supposed to go in /var/tmp

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/tmp and /var/tmp

Posted Mar 31, 2011 19:56 UTC (Thu) by martinfick (subscriber, #4455) [Link]

Where do you get that rationale from? The FHS does not think so:

/tmp : Temporary files 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. Tip 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.

/var/tmp : Temporary files preserved between system reboots Purpose

The /var/tmp directory is made available for programs that require temporary files or directories that are preserved between system reboots. Therefore, data stored in /var/tmp is more persistent than data in /tmp. Files and directories located in /var/tmp must not be deleted when the system is booted. Although data stored in /var/tmp is typically deleted in a site-specific manner, it is recommended that deletions occur at a less frequent interval than /tmp.