/tmp -- the permanent discussion

[VLD/VMB]

A solution to the left-over-upon-abnormal-termination temp file,
which works well most of the time, is tmpfile(3S), distributed with
UNIX System V.  If you don't have one of these, it's not hard to
reimplement.  In case you're not familiar with this function, it
creates a temp file with a unique name, opened for stdio "w+",
and arranges for it to be deleted when the program terminates (by
pre-unlinking it).  I find it very handy.