{smcl}
{* *! version 1.1  18Jan2008}{...}
{* 06Nov2003}{...}
{hline}
help for {hi:tmpdir} {right:manual:  {hi:[R] none}}
{right:dialog:  {hi: none}    }
{hline}


{title:Returns the directory Stata is using for a temporary directory `r(tmpdir)'}

{p 8 17 2}{cmd:tmpdir}
[{cmd:short}]{p_end}


{t:itle:Description}

{p 4 4 2}{cmd:tmpdir} is designed for programmers who want to know what directory Stata
writes temp files to.  This can be helpful when using the {help file} command
to write intermediary files for a program.  Since spaces in directory names can
cause problems for programs running, {cmd:tmpdir} in the Windows operating system
replaces directory / subdirectory names that contain spaces, or optionally any name
longer than 8 characters, with the first 6 non-space
characters plus "~1" or "~2" (up to "~4").  After that it gets a bit crazy with
hexadecimal replacements.  {cmd:tmpdir} shells out to DOS and finds the short
directory name that DOS has come up with, so there's no attempt to guess the short
name.  This makes it possible to use this program on many different versions of
Windows and always get the short name right.  UNIX/Linux systems tend not to have
spaces in the directory designated to be the temporary directory, but {cmd:tmpdir}
checks for spaces to make sure the temp directory does not have spaces.{p_end}

{p 4 8 2} Note: {cmd:tmpdir} can be hard coded so that it always chooses a specific directory.
This can be helpful if you want to direct large files to your D: drive.{p_end}

{title:Options}

{p 4 8 2}{cmd:short} is for Windows only and it specifies that any long directory name
should be shortened to 8.3 style names.  Not using the {cmd:short} option will allow
for long directory names that do not have spaces.{p_end}

{title:Examples}

{p 4 8 2}So if your temporary directory is:  "C:\Documents and Settings\dan\Local Settings\temp"{p_end}

{p 4 8 2}{cmd:. tmpdir} returns r(tmpdir):{p_end}

{p 4 8 2}{cmd:. return list }{p_end}

{p 4 8 2}{cmd:macros: }{p_end}

{p 10 10 2}{cmd:r(tmpdir) : "C:\Docume~1\dan\LocalS~1\temp\"}{p_end}

{p 4 8 2}But if your temp directory is:  "C:\Documents and Settings\dan_blanchette\Local Settings\temp"{p_end}

{p 4 8 2}{cmd:. tmpdir} returns r(tmpdir):{p_end}

{p 4 8 2}"C:\Docume~1\dan_blanchette\LocalS~1\temp\"{p_end}

{p 4 8 2}since "dan_blanchette" has no spaces in the name.{p_end}

{p 4 8 2}{cmd:. tmpdir short} returns r(tmpdir):{p_end}

{p 4 8 2}"C:\Docume~1\dan_b~1\LocalS~1\temp\"{p_end}


{title:Saved Results}

{p 4 4 2}The {cmd:tmpdir} command saves in {cmd:r()}:{p_end}

{p 4 8 2}
The {cmd:adoedit} command saves in {cmd:r()}:{p_end}

{synoptset 20 tabbed}{...}
{p2col 5 20 24 2: Macros}{p_end}
{synopt:{cmd:r(tmpdir)}}Stata's temporary directory path{p_end}


{title:Author}

{p 4 4 2}
Dan Blanchette {break}
The Carolina Population Center {break}
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, USA {break}
dan_blanchette@unc.edu{p_end}


{title:Also see}

{p 4 13 2}On-line: {help tempfile} {help _getfilename} ,
{help confirmdir} (if installed)
{help shortdir} (if installed)
{help savasas} (if installed)
{help usesas} (if installed){p_end}