File.createTempFile() vs. new File()

1. Create file with random name

File file = File.createTempFile(String prefix, String suffix, File parent)

• Actually create the file on disk and returns the file object
• Create a file name in this format: prefix + random number + suffix
• Useful when you need create temporary file on disk

2. Create file with exact name

File file = new File(File parent, String child);
file.createNewFile();

• Actually create the file on disk and returns true if file get created successfully

• File name will exactly as pass to child parameter

• Useful when you need create permanent file on disk

3. Create only file object (in memory)

File file = new File(File parent, String child);
// doesn't create the file on disk until calling createNewFile() method

• Only create the in memory and not actually on disk
• Useful when you need just create file object (e.g just to pass it as parameter)

parent parameter can be one of these:

1. App private directories

   • context.getCacheDir()
   • context.getExternalCacheDir()
   • and … (full list can be found here)

2. Public directories

   • Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory()
   • Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(
     Environment.DIRECTORY_PICTURES)
   • and … (full list can be found here)