Using Flashdata

I am still unsure about using the codeigniter flashdata because I do not want it to create lots of files when the flashdata gets created.

How long does the files stay on there and or in the database?

Because each time I go to my login page it's still creating a new session file.

Code:

$config['sess_driver'] = 'files';
$config['sess_cookie_name'] = 'ci_session';
$config['sess_expiration'] = 0500;
$config['sess_save_path'] = FCPATH . 'application/cache/';
$config['sess_match_ip'] = TRUE;
$config['sess_time_to_update'] = 300;
$config['sess_regenerate_destroy'] = TRUE;

There's only one rule - please don't tell anyone to go and read the manual.  Sometimes the manual just SUCKS!

Flashdata is only available for the next request, and then is automatically cleared. I doubt it has anything to do with your multiple session files being created.