[GRASS-user] Temporary files in GRASS Script

[Glynn Clements]

Nikos Dumakis wrote:

> Following a few questions/emails from Glynn and Antonio regarding GRASS
> Scripting I have the following question:
> What is the main difference between Temporary files creation mentioned in
> Glynn emails:
> 
> *tmp=tmp.myscript.$$*
> 
> *
> *
> 
> *And the one used in r.centroid script:*
> 
> TMP=$$
> 
> TMPFILE=`g.tempfile pid=$TMP`

The former creates a name with a given format ($$ is the PID of the
shell process running the script).

g.tempfile creates a temporary file at:

	<datbase>/<location>/<mapset>/.tmp/<hostname>/<pid>.<num>

where <num> is chosen such that the name is unique (for g.tempfile, it
will usually be zero; if a process calls G_tempfile() multiple times,
<num> will increment).

Use the former (or something like it) if you want a name for a
temporary map, region, etc. Use the latter if you need a file.

-- 
Glynn Clements <glynn at gclements.plus.com>