Actually, that's not the case. This is what the file system standard says:
+++++++++++++++++++
Filesystem Hierarchy Standard
3.11 /tmp : Temporary files
The /tmp directory shall be made available for programs that require
temporary files.
Although data stored in /tmp may be deleted in a site-specific manner, it
is recommended that files and directories located in /tmp be deleted
whenever the system is booted.
Programs shall not assume that any files or directories in /tmp are
preserved between invocations of the program.
START RATIONALE
IEEE standard P1003.2 (POSIX, part 2) makes requirements that are similar
to the above section.
FHS added the recommendation that /tmp be cleaned at boot time on the basis
of historical precedent and common practice, but did not make it a
requirement because system administration is not within the scope of this
standard.
END RATIONALE
+++++++++++++++++++
As you can see tmp files that belong to running programs should not be
wiped, even if they've been closed by the program - it migh want to reopen
the file and reuse the contents...
Alan
PS: the whole standard is at http://www.pathname.com/fhs/ if you are
interested :)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mads Martin Jørgensen"