emasc temp file cleanup

Question

When I edit files with emacs, emacs creates a file with the same name, but with a tilde on the end:

notes.txt~

When I save my changes and exit emacs, it doesn't remove the temp file. Is there a setting I can make in the .emacs that forces it to delete temp files so that it stops cluttering my directories?

Answer 1

Emacs calls these backup files (as opposed to temporary files starting with #). To not create these, add

(setq make-backup-files nil)

to your .emacs

Answer 2

What KeithB said, or put your files into version control.