diff --git a/tools/python/jwutils/misc.py b/tools/python/jwutils/misc.py
index cf6d19f..a3ef204 100644
--- a/tools/python/jwutils/misc.py
+++ b/tools/python/jwutils/misc.py
@@ -62,4 +62,13 @@ def get_derived_classes(mod, base): # export
         r.append(c)
     return r
 
+def commit_tmpfile(tmp, path): # export
+    caller = log.get_caller_pos()
+    if os.path.isfile(path) and filecmp.cmp(tmp, path):
+        log.slog(log.INFO, "{} is up to date".format(path), caller=caller)
+        os.unlink(tmp)
+    else:
+        log.slog(log.NOTICE, "saving {}".format(path), caller=caller)
+        os.rename(path + '.tmp', path)
+
 atexit.register(_cleanup)