How to check if a file exists using the if statement


 
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# 1  
Old 09-19-2008
How to check if a file exists using the if statement

Hi,
I'm trying to write a bit of code that will check if a file exists and then archives the file

Im trying to use the following if statement without success..

if [ -f = "filename" ]
then
mv filename archive/filename
else
echo "no filename exists"
fi

Should the file name be in quotes? My code's not finding the file, it alway moves on to the else section...

EDIT* I'm scripting in KSH..

Last edited by Jazmania; 09-19-2008 at 01:18 PM..
# 2  
Old 09-19-2008
From your code remove the "=" in the test segment
Code:
if [ -f "filename" ]
then
mv filename archive/filename
else
echo "no filename exists"
fi

# 3  
Old 09-19-2008
Here are more shell test conditions:
Code:
The tests below are test conditions provided by the shell: 

-b file = True if the file exists and is block special file. 
-c file = True if the file exists and is character special file. 
-d file = True if the file exists and is a directory. 
-e file = True if the file exists. 
-f file = True if the file exists and is a regular file 
-g file = True if the file exists and the set-group-id bit is set. 
-k file = True if the files' "sticky" bit is set. 
-L file = True if the file exists and is a symbolic link. 
-p file = True if the file exists and is a named pipe. 
-r file = True if the file exists and is readable. 
-s file = True if the file exists and its size is greater than zero. 
-s file = True if the file exists and is a socket. 
-t fd = True if the file descriptor is opened on a terminal. 
-u file = True if the file exists and its set-user-id bit is set. 
-w file = True if the file exists and is writable. 
-x file = True if the file exists and is executable. 
-O file = True if the file exists and is owned by the effective user id. 
-G file = True if the file exists and is owned by the effective group id. 
file1 –nt file2 = True if file1 is newer, by modification date, than file2. 
file1 ot file2 = True if file1 is older than file2. 
file1 ef file2 = True if file1 and file2 have the same device and inode numbers. 
-z string = True if the length of the string is 0. 
-n string = True if the length of the string is non-zero. 
string1 = string2 = True if the strings are equal. 
string1 != string2 = True if the strings are not equal. 
!expr = True if the expr evaluates to false. 
expr1 –a expr2 = True if both expr1 and expr2 are true. 
expr1 –o expr2 = True is either expr1 or expr2 is true.

# 4  
Old 09-19-2008
Thanks guys...

I hate it when something so simple throws off the whole thing....
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