NAME

tmpnam - create a name for a temporary file

SYNOPSIS

#include <stdio.h>

char *tmpnam(char *s);


DESCRIPTION

^[CX] The functionality described on this reference page is aligned with the ISO C standard. Any conflict between the requirements described here and the ISO C standard is unintentional. This volume of IEEE Std 1003.1-2001 defers to the ISO C standard.

The tmpnam() function shall generate a string that is a valid filename and that is not the same as the name of an existing file. The function is potentially capable of generating {TMP_MAX} different strings, but any or all of them may already be in use by existing files and thus not be suitable return values.

The tmpnam() function generates a different string each time it is called from the same process, up to {TMP_MAX} times. If it is called more than {TMP_MAX} times, the behavior is implementation-defined.

The implementation shall behave as if no function defined in this volume of IEEE Std 1003.1-2001 calls tmpnam().

^[CX] If the application uses any of the functions guaranteed to be available if either _POSIX_THREAD_SAFE_FUNCTIONS or _POSIX_THREADS is defined, the application shall ensure that the tmpnam() function is called with a non-NULL parameter.

RETURN VALUE

Upon successful completion, tmpnam() shall return a pointer to a string. If no suitable string can be generated, the tmpnam() function shall return a null pointer.

If the argument s is a null pointer, tmpnam() shall leave its result in an internal static object and return a pointer to that object. Subsequent calls to tmpnam() may modify the same object. If the argument s is not a null pointer, it is presumed to point to an array of at least L_tmpnam chars; tmpnam() shall write its result in that array and shall return the argument as its value.

ERRORS

No errors are defined.

EXAMPLES

Generating a Filename

The following example generates a unique filename and stores it in the array pointed to by ptr.

#include <stdio.h>
...
char filename[L_tmpnam+1];
char *ptr;


ptr = tmpnam(filename);

APPLICATION USAGE

This function only creates filenames. It is the application's responsibility to create and remove the files.

Between the time a pathname is created and the file is opened, it is possible for some other process to create a file with the same name. Applications may find tmpfile() more useful.

RATIONALE

None.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

None.

SEE ALSO

fopen() , open() , tempnam() , tmpfile() , unlink() , the Base Definitions volume of IEEE Std 1003.1-2001, <stdio.h>

CHANGE HISTORY

First released in Issue 1. Derived from Issue 1 of the SVID.

Issue 5

The DESCRIPTION is updated for alignment with the POSIX Threads Extension.

Issue 6

Extensions beyond the ISO C standard are marked.

The DESCRIPTION is updated to avoid use of the term "must" for application requirements.

The DESCRIPTION is expanded for alignment with the ISO/IEC 9899:1999 standard.