What are the key differences between accessing local files directly and using temporary files in PHP file upload processes?

When uploading files in PHP, it is generally safer to use temporary files instead of accessing local files directly. This is because temporary files provide an extra layer of security by preventing direct access to sensitive files on the server. Temporary files also help prevent conflicts and overwriting of existing files during the upload process. 

// Using temporary files for file uploads in PHP
$uploadDir = 'uploads/';
$tempFile = $_FILES['file']['tmp_name'];
$targetFile = $uploadDir . $_FILES['file']['name'];

move_uploaded_file($tempFile, $targetFile);

Keywords

file upload PHP local files temporary files differences

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