Creating temporary folders

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Update: Added File.Exists check per comment (2012-Jun-19)

Here’s what I’ve used in VB.NET. Essentially the same as presented, except I usually didn’t want to create the folder immediately.

The advantage to use GetRandomFilename is that it doesn’t create a file, so you don’t have to clean up if your using the name for something other than a file. Like using it for folder name.

Private Function GetTempFolder() As String
    Dim folder As String = Path.Combine(Path.GetTempPath, Path.GetRandomFileName)
    Do While Directory.Exists(folder) or File.Exists(folder)
        folder = Path.Combine(Path.GetTempPath, Path.GetRandomFileName)
    Loop

    Return folder
End Function

Random Filename Example:

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp\u3z5e0co.tvq

Here’s a variation using a Guid to get the temp folder name. 

Private Function GetTempFolderGuid() As String
    Dim folder As String = Path.Combine(Path.GetTempPath, Guid.NewGuid.ToString)
    Do While Directory.Exists(folder) or File.Exists(folder)
        folder = Path.Combine(Path.GetTempPath, Guid.NewGuid.ToString)
    Loop

    Return folder
End Function

guid Example:

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp\2dbc6db7-2d45-4b75-b27f-0bd492c60496

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