# template backup names?

**URL:** <https://forum.ansible.com/t/template-backup-names/24283>\
**Category:** Ansible Project\
**Created:** [April 21, 2017, 1:58pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/template-backup-names/24283 "2017-04-21T13:58:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dave\_Martin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dave\_Martin](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Dave_Martin)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 1:58pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/template-backup-names/24283/1 "2017-04-21T13:58:14Z")

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So, why is there a process ID in the extension added to the backup file created by a template action? Any why not put it at the end so they sort correctly?

The process id is ephemeral - by the time you go look a the file, that process is long gone. What use is it?

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**Author:** ![Dick\_Davies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Dick\_Davies](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Dick_Davies)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2017, 7:24am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/template-backup-names/24283/2 "2017-04-24T07:24:30Z")

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I'm guessing its intended to prevent collisions rather than as an audit tool?

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**Author:** ![Dave\_Martin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dave\_Martin](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Dave_Martin)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2017, 1:17pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/template-backup-names/24283/3 "2017-04-24T13:17:39Z")

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Ahhh, thanks.

I can see that. It’s still makes them hard to sort out, though.