Since you are only concerned if at least 1 file exists this may work for you:
Code:
mylist="janfile.tar jarfile.jar jan.rpt.Z"
for i in $mylist
do
if [ -e $i ]
then
echo found $i #or e-mail and halt
exit 0
fi
done
The -e just checks to see if the file exists. If it does, then the expression is true and the echo is run.
added code tags for readability --oombera
