Dummy input files?

Question

For certain tools like dynamic input, run tool etc I've noticed some alteryx developers sometimes use temp files as inputs, but I'm not sure how they work, where they're stored etc.

For example when using run tool to run a macro, temp files can be provided under "Read Results" and "Write Source" (something like %temp%delete.yxdb). What exactly does it mean and is it possible to keep these files hidden?

KGT · Answer

%temp% will take an environment variable and create the path. If you go to a cmd prompt and type "Set" (no quotes), you will get a list of environment variables. Running in Non-admin, this will often be your user temp directory buried in AppData.

Sometimes, the temp directory will actually be a temp directory for that run of the workflow, but that is not ordinarily on designer, and not %temp%.