Change TMPDIR for Android shell script

Question

I am working on a script that will be run from an android shell (e.g. adb shell). I have a problem with writing temporary files, as this demonstrates:

$ cat <<-EOF > foo
> EOF
sh: can't create temporary file /data/local/shd1v7x1.tmp: Permission denied

I want to direct the shell's temporary directory to somewhere that is writable. I would usually do this:

$ export TMPDIR=/path/to/somwehere/writable
$ cat <<-EOF > foo

but it makes no difference.

Is it possible to specify the location the shell should use for temporary files?

(I know that running as root is a work around but that isn't a solution)

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 29 '17 at 18:06

1

/data/local/tmp should be writable on all Android and it works with that :-).

export TMPDIR=/data/local/tmp

answered Aug 29 '17 at 18:06

pevik

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yes, that works. I guess I must not have known of that location when I asked the question but I know about it now. – starfry Jan 16 '18 at 19:34

Change TMPDIR for Android shell script

1 Answers1