`tempname`

Returns a unique name for a temporary file.

Category: Programming > Files and Folders

Syntax

f = tempname

Returns a full path inside the temporary folder.

f = tempname(folder)

Builds the name inside folder instead.

Description

tempname only chooses a name; it does not create the file. Every call returns a new name, so two calls never collide. After using the file, remove it with delete.

Input arguments

folder: Folder to use instead of the temporary folder.

Output arguments

f: Path of a file that does not exist yet.

Example

A name, a file, and cleanup

f = tempname;
isfile(f)
writelines('scratch', f);
isfile(f)
delete(f);
isfile(f)

Output

ans = logical
   0
ans = logical
   1
ans = logical
   0

tempname