UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I wasn't sure if I should post it here of in the Shell Script category, but I figured it was definitely a newbie question.

I'm trying to write a script that will check for the existence of a specific file (or for any files within the directory) and then take specific actions. I've removed all the extra processing in the loop, comments, and variables. I'm just trying to get my basic loop to work.

I did check the FAQ's but I think this is even too basic a question for there. Anyone's assistance with this would be appreciated.


#!/bin/sh

if (test.dat exists in current directory)
then
echo "test.dat exists!" |mail noone@domain.com
else
echo "test.dat does not exist!" |mail noone@domain.com
fi

Use the following if

if [ -f file_name ]
then
# File Exists
else
# File does not exist
fi

What does the -f mean before the filename? I did receive and proper response e-mail when I used this. I also just tried "ls filename" and had the same result.

If I were to look for the existence of any file in that directory, would I just replace the filename with * ?


Thanks again!