C++ in Linux creates 2 files

Question

I created a C++ file, adjacent_find.cpp in a directory, using g++, I compiled it successfully and an output file was generated. When I list the content of the directory from the terminal, I see three files:

Linux-Host:~/Desktop/Algorithms/algorithm # ls
adjacent_find.cpp    adjacent_find.cpp~    output

What is the purpose and meaning of the file with the tilde (~)? I can only see the file with the tilde (~) from the terminal, it is not displayed in my file browser.

Could it be your editor creating a backup file each time you save? — ikikenis, Mar 19 '14 at 09:29
possible duplicate of [How do I control how Emacs makes backup files?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/151945/how-do-i-control-how-emacs-makes-backup-files) — perror, Mar 19 '14 at 09:52

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 19 '14 at 09:32

3

Files ending with ~ is actually a snapshot of the oriinal file before it was saved. So basically, they're backups, and you can safely delete them if you want to.

And these are not created by g++. They are created by the text editor.

edited Mar 19 '14 at 09:32

Tadeusz A. Kadłubowski

8,047
1
30
37

answered Mar 19 '14 at 09:30

myusuf

11,810
11
35
50

Appreciate your assistance. – Jacques Mar 19 '14 at 09:43

C++ in Linux creates 2 files

1 Answers1