Working with Temporary files import java.io.*; //Work with temporary files in Java. public class TempFiles { public static void main(String[] argv) throws IOException { // 1. Make an existing file temporary // Construct a File object for the backup created by editing // this source file. The file probably already exists. // My editor creates backups by putting ' at the end of the name. File bkup = new File("Rename.java'"); // Arrange to have it deleted when the program ends. bkup.deleteOnExit(); // 2. Create a new temporary file. // Make a file object for foo.tmp, in the default temp directory File tmp = File.createTempFile("foo", "tmp"); // Report on the filename that it made up for us. System.out.println("Your temp file is " + tmp.getCanonicalPath()); // Arrange for it to be deleted at exit. tmp.deleteOnExit(); // Now do something with the temporary file, without having to // worry about deleting it later. writeDataInTemp(tmp.getCanonicalPath()); } public static void writeDataInTemp(String tempnam) { // This version is dummy. Use your imagination. } }