how to check if the file exist or not?

gusla · #1 (**permalink**) 03-27-2002

say i would like to check if the file is existed before i use rm command. How can i do it?

i know if i can use find, but i would like to have a good interface (in a shell script)

thks

LivinFree · #2 (**permalink**) 03-27-2002

See the man page for test.

if [ -s $file_name ]; then
echo Yay
else
echo Boo
fi

That will Yay if the file exists, and has a size greater than zero, and Boo if the file does not exist, or has a 0 length.

krylin · #3 (**permalink**) 03-27-2002

You should try the following code:

test -e $file_name && echo "file exists"

gusla · #4 (**permalink**) 03-27-2002

u both

More UNIX and Linux Forum Topics You Might Find Helpful
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need Script to check file exist and compare	rbknisely	UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers	1	01-16-2008 01:08 AM
How to check a file exist and do a copy of other files	ahjiefreak	Shell Programming and Scripting	6	12-20-2007 12:07 AM
Have a shell script check for a file to exist before processing another file	heprox	Shell Programming and Scripting	3	11-14-2006 03:26 AM
how to check if directory/file exist using c/c++	steven88	High Level Programming	2	01-03-2006 02:55 AM
how to check if directory/file exist using c/c++	steven88	Shell Programming and Scripting	1	01-02-2006 10:45 PM

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:


	Powered by