A scratch file is an unnamed file which is only needed during the execution of a program. Scratch files should be removed when the program terminates. A scratch file does not need a name since there is no reason to refer to it outside the executable program. A scratch file has a name which is usually a pattern designed to make it unique, and it is usually stored in a separate directory set up just for scratch files.
| /tmp |
This is the main system temporary file directory.
It is a shared, writable directory which you can use for scratch files.
The /tmp directory is not on a quota constrained disk so you
will never get a write error for being over quota.
The /tmp disk my be emptied when the system is rebooted.
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| /var/tmp |
This is an alternate system temporary file directory.
It is a shared, writable directory which you can use for scratch files.
The /var/tmp directory is not on a quota constrained disk so you
will never get a write error for being over quota.
Unlike the /tmp directory,
the /var/tmp files will not be removed after a reboot.
This is were files are put by the system which need to available after a reboot.
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| /scratch/$USER |
This is a disk set up for large scratch files.
It is not shared and owned by the user $USER.
This is a quota contrained disk so you will have to apply for a quota
on /scratch and you get a /scratch directory with your
user name as the directory name.
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