Temporary File

What does Temporary File mean?

A temporary file is a file that is created, used, and then deleted by a program or operating system. Temporary files are often used to store temporary data that is not needed beyond the lifetime of the program or process that created it.

Temporary files can be created for a variety of reasons, including:

• To store data that is too large to fit in Memory.
• To store data that is only needed for a short period of time.
• To store data that is shared between multiple programs or processes.
• To create a backup of data in case the original file is lost or damaged.

Temporary files are typically stored in a special directory on the computer’s hard drive. This directory is usually hidden from the user, and it is automatically deleted when the computer is restarted.

Applications

Temporary files are used in a wide variety of applications, including:

• Web browsers: Web browsers use temporary files to store web pages and other data that is downloaded from the internet. This data is stored in the browser’s cache, and it is used to speed up subsequent visits to the same Website.
• Email clients: Email clients use temporary files to store email messages and attachments. This data is stored in the client’s cache, and it is used to speed up subsequent access to the same email messages.
• Database systems: Database systems use temporary files to store data that is being processed or updated. This data is stored in the database’s temporary tables, and it is deleted once the processing or updating is complete.
• Spreadsheet programs: Spreadsheet programs use temporary files to store data that is being processed or manipulated. This data is stored in the spreadsheet’s scratchpad, and it is deleted once the processing or manipulation is complete.

History

The concept of temporary files has been around since the early days of computing. In the early days, temporary files were often stored on punch cards or Magnetic tape. As computers became more powerful, temporary files were increasingly stored on hard disks.

The use of temporary files has continued to grow as computers have become more powerful and complex. Today, temporary files are used in a wide variety of applications, and they play an important role in the efficient operation of modern computer systems.