gistfile1.rb

# helpfull for performing actions that require temp directories
# 1. handles temp file creation
# 2. lets you do your business in da 'block'
# 3. cleans up after itself
# usage

require 'fileutils'
include FileUtils

temp do
  mkdir_p 'some/long/path'
  touch 'some compile stuff etc.etc.'
end
# now its all cleaned up

# implementation
def temp(opts = {})
  @timestamp ||= Time.now.to_i
  dir = "/tmp/backup+#{@timestamp}" 
  mkdir_p dir
  begin
    cd dir do
      yield
    end
  ensure
    #not tested, only theorized
    if opts[:save_to] 
      mv dir, opts[:save_to]
    end
    rm_rf dir
  end
end