temporary-directory-use-mktemp

Temporary directory: use mktemp

To create a temporary directory we use:

• The command mktemp which creates the directory.
• If a temp prefix is provided, then use it; we prefer the use program_command which returns the name.
• Otherwise, use a ZID i.e. secure random 32-character hex lowercase string.

Code:

temp_home() { out $(mktemp -d -t "${1:-$(zid)}"); }; export -f temp_home;
temp_dir() { out $(temp_home "$program_command"; };

Notes:

• We prefer the terminology "temp" over "tmp", "temporary", etc.
• Our preference is because "mktemp" uses "temp".
• And also because "temp" is easier for some cultures to pronounce than "tmp".