# import tempfile

**[import tempfile](https://docs.python.org/3/library/tempfile.html)** is a Python import that creates temporary files and directories. Use it for safe temporary storage that's automatically cleaned up.

## Example

```python
# Python
# description: create temporary files and directories

import tempfile
import os

# Temporary file (deleted when closed)
with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(mode="w", delete=False) as f:
    f.write("temporary data")
    temp_path = f.name

print(f"Temp file: {temp_path}")
os.remove(temp_path)

# Temporary directory
with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpdir:
    temp_file = os.path.join(tmpdir, "data.txt")
    with open(temp_file, "w") as f:
        f.write("temporary data")
    print(f"Files in temp dir: {os.listdir(tmpdir)}")
# tmpdir automatically deleted

# Temporary directory that persists
tmpdir = tempfile.mkdtemp()
print(f"Temp dir: {tmpdir}")
# Note: you must clean it up manually
```

## Common functions and classes

- `tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile()`: temporary named file
- `tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()`: temporary directory (auto-cleanup)
- `tempfile.mkdtemp()`: create temporary directory
- `tempfile.mkstemp()`: create temporary file (returns fd, path)
- `delete=False`: keep temp file after closing