How to generate an unique filename or path?

Question

How can I generate a unique filename or path? I am looking for a solution that works both for Unix(-like) operating systems as well as Windows.

Answer 1

Use boost::uuid:

#include <string>
using std::string;

#include <boost/lexical_cast.hpp>
using boost::lexical_cast;

#include <boost/uuid/uuid.hpp>
using boost::uuids::uuid;

#include <boost/uuid/uuid_generators.hpp>
using boost::uuids::random_generator;

#include <boost/uuid/uuid_io.hpp>

string make_uuid()
{
    return lexical_cast<string>((random_generator())());
}

And use the generated UUID as the filename (the path is therefore irrelevant).

Answer 2

Use mktemp on both. Windows have got a version of the posix call at msdn docs and the linux call is mktemp(3). mktemp command lines tool on linux incidentally just calls that