Shell scripting (BASH) : How to create temporary random file name

Sometimes you need to create a temporary file in your shell script. There are various methods exist to create a random temporary file name. It is quite useful if your application/shell scripting needs temporary unique file names.

Fig.01: How create a temporary file in linux unix bash/ ksh /zsh shell script

Method # 1 Use of mktemp or tempfile utility

As the name suggest, both of the following commands create a unique temporary file or directory. Just type the mktemp at the shell prompt to create it a temp file or dir:
$ mktemp
Sample outputs

/tmp/tmp.Le4jmo6TrH

OR
$ tempfile
Sample outputs:

/tmp/file1wqzcO

Please note that the tempfile command is deprecated; you should use always use mktemp command instead. So to create a temp file:

tfile=$(mktemp /tmp/foo.XXXXXXXXX)
echo "a file: $tfile"

To create a temp dir:

tdir=$(mktemp -d /tmp/foo.XXXXXXXXX)
echo "a direcotry: $tdir"

How to make a directory

Make a unique temporary directory instead of a file using -d option. The syntax is:
$ mktemp -d

A shell script example

#!/bin/bash
s="https://server1.cyberciti.biz/?Download=ips-v4&Format=text"
f="$(mktemp /tmp/myscript.XXXXXX)"
wget -q -O $f $s
echo "IPv4 address downloaded to '$f'.."
echo "Processing..."
#
# logic to do something on $f here
#
# Delete the temp file
rm -f "$f"

Rest of the following methods are insecure and do not use them in production. They are here for historical reasons only.

Method #2: Use $RANDOM bash shell variable

At shell prompt type the command:
$ echo $RANDOM
Sample outputs:

13354

You can use it as follows:

file="/tmp/myscript.$RANDOM"
echo "Working on temp $file ..."
echo "Deleting $file ..."
rm -f "$file"

Method # 3 Use of $$ variable

This is old and classic method. $$ shell variable returns the current running process this can be use to create unique temporary file as demonstrated in following script:
vi random2.bash

#!/bin/bash
#
TFILE="/tmp/$(basename $0).$$.tmp"
ls > $TFILE
echo "See directory listing in $TFILE"

Save the script and execute as follows:
$ chmod +x random2.bash
$ ./ random2.bash

Use this method if your script needs only ONE temporary file.