.GetTempFile

Description

1. Calculates and displays a random temporary file name
2. Saves the value in #TempFile
3. Saves the previous value of #TempFile (if it exists) in #Previous_#TempFile
4. Sets errorlevel based on the result

Syntax

Parameters and Switches

Errorlevels and Output Variables

Examples, Notes and Instructions

• #TempFile uses the equivalent "short names" for the file and path whenever possible.
• The temporary file name is constructed in five parts:

~~		literal prefix, always two "~" characters
%~sn0		Expands to the short file name of the script that is running when .GetTempFile is executed.  If this value is unavailable, the literal characters "%~sn0" will be part of the temporary file name.  This usually occurs because .GetTempFile has been run from a  command prompt.  The file name is still valid with the "%~sn0"  characters in it and can be used normally.
-		literal "-" character, separates the short filename from the "random" number
nnnnnnnn		The "random" part of the file name, loosely based on the current Precise Log Time (see #LogTimeP).  While this is not a truly "random" number, it is random enough to allow multiple simultaneous runs of the same script, on the same machine, using the same temp folder, without conflicts.
.txt		the literal ".txt" extension allows easy viewing and editing of the file with a double-click (as opposed to ".tmp")

• When retrieving one or more temporary files for use in a script, it is best to execute %.GetTempFile% in the main body of the script and not within any subroutine. This will help to avoid the literal characters "%~sn0" as part of the temporary file name.
• Output is displayed to STDOUT
• To suppress console display, use

    %.GetTempFile% %.Quiet%

{errorlevel and output variable(s) will still be available}

Related .Mount/\Commands, #Constants, $Functions, :Procedures