file_exists - Check if a file or directory exists_PHP Tutorial

file_exists - Check if a file or directory exists ​

file_exists
(PHP 4, PHP 5)

file_exists - Check if a file or directory exists

Description
boolean file_exists (string $filename)
Check if the file or directory exists.

Parameters

File name
The path to the file or directory.

In Windows, use //computername/share/filename or computernameshare-filename to check for files on a network share.


Return value
Returns TRUE if the file or directory specified by filename exists; FALSE otherwise.

NOTE: This function will return FALSE for symlinks pointing to non-existent files.


Warning
This function returns FALSE for files that cannot enter safe mode due to restrictions. But these files can also be included if they are located in safe_mode_include_dir.

NOTE: The check is using real UID/GID which is not valid.


Example

Example #1 Test if file exists

$filename = '/path/to/foo.txt';

if (file_exists($filename)) {
echo "The file $filename exists";
} else {
echo "The file $filename does not exist";
}
?>