Where are files temporarily written in Unix when printing?

The correct answer is D. /var/spool. In Unix/Linux systems, print jobs are managed by a spooling system (SPOOL = Simultaneous Peripheral Operations On-Line). Print jobs are temporarily stored in /var/spool, typically under /var/spool/cups or /var/spool/lpd depending on the print system in use. The /var directory…

Submitted by wei.xz· Apr 18, 2026Disk Forensics

Question

Options

A/usr/spool
B/var/print
C/spool
D/var/spool

How the community answered

(16 responses)

A
6% (1)
B
6% (1)
D
88% (14)

Explanation

In Unix/Linux systems, print jobs are managed by a spooling system (SPOOL = Simultaneous Peripheral Operations On-Line). Print jobs are temporarily stored in /var/spool, typically under /var/spool/cups or /var/spool/lpd depending on the print system in use. The /var directory is designated for variable data that changes during normal system operation. /usr/spool was used in older Unix systems but /var/spool is the modern standard per the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS). The other options (/var/print, /spool) are not valid standard Unix paths.

Topics

#Unix printing#Spool directory#Filesystem hierarchy#Temporary files

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