FILEEXISTS

• Source: https://www.freebasic.net/wiki/wikka.php?wakka=KeyPgFileexists
• Last revised: 2016-03-13

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Tests the existence of a file

Syntax

` declare function FileExists ( byval filename as zstring ptr ) as long

`

Usage

#include "file.bi"
result = FileExists( filename )

or

#include "vbcompat.bi"
result = FileExists( filename )

Parameters

filename

Filename to test for existence.

Return Value

Returns non-zero (-1) if the file exists, otherwise returns zero (0).

Description

FileExists tests for the existence of a file.

Internally, it may issue an Open() and a Close() function, which may have consequences - eg, any existing Lock(s) on the file may be released.

Depending on the exact requirements, alternative methods of checking for file existence may be to use the Dir() function (being careful of attributes and ensuring the path doesn't contain wildcards), or to try Opening the file and checking the return value for success.

Examples

start GeSHi

#include "vbcompat.bi"

Dim filename As String

Print "Enter a filename: "
Line Input filename

If FileExists( filename ) Then
  Print "File found: " & filename
Else
  Print "File not found: " & filename
End If

end GeSHi

Platform Differences

• Linux requires the filename case matches the real name of the file. Windows and DOS are case insensitive.
• Path separators in Linux are forward slashes /. Windows uses backward slashes \ but it allows for forward slashes. DOS uses backward \ slashes.

Differences from QB

• New to FreeBASIC

See also

• Dir

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