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Zatt · Dec 28, 2003, 10:03 AM

These questions may be a bit basic, but this is my first Mac.

1. Are 'cache' folders similar to 'temporary' folders on a PC?

2. Do 'temporary' files automatically delete themselves after a certain period of time to keep the hard drive 'clean', or do I have to delete them manually?

Thanks.

Developer · Dec 28, 2003, 10:13 AM

1. Are 'cache' folders similar to 'temporary' folders?

No. A cache can be permanent.

2. Do 'temporary' files automatically delete themselves after a certain period of time to keep the hard drive 'clean'.

The temporary files are supposed to be deleted by the app that created them when they are no longer needed. They are cleaned automatically by the system at reboot and (I think) at around 4 am.

Maflynn · Dec 28, 2003, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by Zatt:

2. Do 'temporary' files automatically delete themselves after a certain period of time to keep the hard drive 'clean', or do I have to delete them manually?

Welcome to the forum.
if your talking OSX then yes the temp files are cleaned up after each reboot, they may clean themselves up at midnight if the machine is left. I'm not sure about that I know the log files are archived at midnight but not sure about the VM files.

Mike

malvolio · Dec 28, 2003, 11:08 AM

System logs (not cache files) are compressed during the system maintenance routine that runs at 3:15 a.m. local time (if your machine is on). Cache files, on the other hand, remain in place. Some are not even affected by a restart.
Virtual Memory swapfiles remain until you restart.
Since corrupted cache files can cause behavior such as applications "unexpectedly quitting" at launch, you may want to occasionally clear them out. This can be done manually in the Finder and Terminal, or by using a 3rd-party utility like Cache Out X or Jaguar/Panther Cache Cleaner.

Zatt · Dec 29, 2003, 06:36 AM

Thank you for you assistance. Being a first time Mac owner, I have to say that it's a fantastic experience. I just have to get used to the little differences between Mac OS X and Windows.

I appreciate the help.

typoon · Dec 29, 2003, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by Zatt:
Thank you for you assistance. Being a first time Mac owner, I have to say that it's a fantastic experience. I just have to get used to the little differences between Mac OS X and Windows.

I appreciate the help.

You can use several 3rd party apps to clean cache. I paid for one of them call Macpilot. It's about 10 bucks. It cleans the different cache files on your computer.

Welcome to the MacWorld. Everyone on the forums are always very helpful.

Zatt · Dec 29, 2003, 09:26 PM

One more question about cache files: It was said that some of them are 'permanent'. Are some of them necessary, or can all of them be taken off of the HD?

In Windows, the temporary files that are 'needed' recreate themselves automatically if the application detects that the necessary temp file does not already exist. I assume that Mac OS does that as well. (It seems to be a much more advanced OS than Windows and I'd be surprised if it doesn't.)

dtriska · Dec 29, 2003, 11:00 PM

As you've no doubt noticed, there are three different times mentioned for when the system does its regular maintenance. My computer does it at 4:30 am. I don't think anyone's figured out why the times are different, but there are several apps you can use to run the scripts the system normally runs late at night. Check out VersionTracker for all your software needs.

malvolio · Dec 29, 2003, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by Zatt:
One more question about cache files: It was said that some of them are 'permanent'. Are some of them necessary, or can all of them be taken off of the HD?

All of them can be deleted - the "necessary" ones will be recreated as needed.

Zatt · Dec 30, 2003, 05:37 AM

Thank you all for answering my questions. It's nice to have a group like this for people like me who are new to Macs.

typoon · Dec 30, 2003, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by dtriska:
As you've no doubt noticed, there are three different times mentioned for when the system does its regular maintenance. My computer does it at 4:30 am. I don't think anyone's figured out why the times are different, but there are several apps you can use to run the scripts the system normally runs late at night. Check out VersionTracker for all your software needs.

Forget VersionTracker. MacUpdate is better