What is the actual "size" of a 0-byte TMP file?

Question

I administer a 3rd party record-keeping software system that resides on it's own server. This is not our favorite product and, hopefully, will be going by the wayside soon, but in the meantime, I have an oddball question:

The software produces several 0-sized .tmp files daily in a shared directory...I'm in the process of deleting 6400 of them! Just for my own curiosity, really, what is the actual cost to the system of these files? I realize that they say they're 0-byte, but there has to be some loss of resources...at the very least cluttering up the file allocation table (or whatever that's called these days!)

Only folks with actual expertise (or actual research) need reply--I get so tired of you so-called Top Contributors jumping in with garbage so that you can be first every time! Please post your sources, or at least recommend some search terms, so that I may continue to learn on my own.

TIA!

Bex

Answer 1

I don't answer a question I don't know the answer too.

I'm a professional audio engineer/musician and stick with what I know.

This one's an exception.

The folder might be empty but the folder itself must have a size.

If the computer can create an icon and file name there must be some space used.

All the references to temp files I've checked refer to it's purpose and content not the size of the folder itself.

A filing cabinet might have a hundred empty folders but the empty folders use up space.

Here's a theory.

Created a new folder - named it windows temp. Properties showed 0 bytes.

Created a notepad file. No text. In new folder properties showed 0 bytes.

Added text - windows temp. Properties showed 12 bytes. 11 characters plus the space.

Does that mean that each character in a folder name uses one byte?

Could explain where drivespace disappears too with perhaps hundreds of folders. Each folder name uses space.

My computer tech is not available so I can't ask him.



Besides the links I also tried:

"temp file size" and "temp file properties"



http://www.fileinfo.com/extension/tmp

http://filext.com/file-extension/tmp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_folder

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=%22temp+folder%22&meta=&btnG=Google+Search



Can't give a specific answer, just a theory.



The plot thickens.

Just phoned a friend - professional computer programmer. He's never been asked that before either. He thinks only 2 or 3 bytes per folder.

He helped program systems for major US airports. Think LAX or JFK.

In short they do take up space but not a lot.



Edit.

Wait! There's more. He just sent me this.

Here is an extract:



Are empty folders really wasteful?

Empty folders don't really occupy space on the hard disk, but they do constitute an entry in the file allocation table, which means that a block of hard disk space is allotted to that folder regardless of whether it contains any data. Since the space is allotted, no other file or folder can occupy that space, which could be considered wasteful.



In addition, since that space is allotted, it is included in and must be managed in any disk operations you perform, such as copying and moving, searching, backing up, error checking, and defragmenting. Although managing a handful of empty folders isn't much of a strain, when the number reaches several hundred, the extra overhead can make a difference in performance.





http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-5054033.html

Answer 2

Usually not...You can delete the contents of the temp directories too there is one in Windows../In docs and settings and in user\local settings\temp which you will have to unhide to find...I would recommend moving them to a back up file, rebooting and making sure they were not needed before permanently deleting them,,,SOme temp files are in fact needed by some programs which use them everytime you access them... Frontpage for example... Cookies and internet temp files... Make a ram disc and save your temp internet files there...Then every time you shut down they will be deleted...Good Luck

Answer 3

0 bytes maby