GNU bug report logs - #75306
31.0.50; Make `small-temporary-file-directory` variable obsolete

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From: Stefan Kangas <stefankangas <at> gmail.com>
To: 75306 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Cc: Michael Albinus <michael.albinus <at> gmx.de>
Subject: bug#75306: 31.0.50; Make `small-temporary-file-directory` variable obsolete
Date: Thu, 2 Jan 2025 21:23:12 -0600

[Message part 1 (text/plain, inline)]

Severity: wishlist

The variable `small-temporary-file-directory` was created in 2000 for
MS-DOS systems and systems with widely different specs than what we run
now.  Putting temporary files on a RAM disk should be done by the system
administrator (usually the user themselves), for example by simply using
tmpfs for _all_ temporary files (not just "small" ones, whatever that
means).

I think the variable doesn't make much sense these days, and should be
made obsolete.  Note that it is barely used in Emacs and third-party
packages.

However, Tramp recently started using the variable as a place to create
OpenSSH Unix domain sockets.  May I suggest that Tramp uses some other
variable for this purpose, perhaps a Tramp specific one?

I've attached a diff that makes the variable obsolete and removes all
uses, for reference.

[rmvar.diff (text/x-patch, attachment)]

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