java.io.File exists()
Description
On this document we will be showing a java example on how to use the exists() method of File Class. This method is basically in place to provide mechanism to test whether the file or directory denoted by this abstract pathname exists. This is essential method in handling files because with this in existence, we are capable to handle complex situation wherein the required files doesn’t exist thus require further action.
Throws:
- SecurityException – If a security manager exists and its SecurityManager.checkRead(java.lang.String) method denies read access to the file or directory.
Method Syntax
public boolean exists()
Method Argument
| Data Type | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
Method Returns
This method returns boolean, true if and only if the file or directory denoted by this abstract pathname exists; false otherwise.
Compatibility
Requires Java 1.0 and up
Java File exists() Example
Below is a java code demonstrates the use of exists() method of File class. The example presented might be simple however it shows the behaviour of the exists() method of File class. Basically we have used the returned value of the exists() method before reading the file. If the file exists, Scanner class is used to read the file and print the contents line by line. If the file does not exists, a message “File does not exists” will be printed on the console.
package com.javatutorialhq.java.examples;
import java.io.File;
import java.io.FileNotFoundException;
import java.util.Scanner;
/*
* This example source code demonstrates the use of
* exists() method of File class.
*
*/
public class FileExistsExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
// initialize File object
File file = new File("C:javatutorialhqinputtest_file.txt");
boolean result;
//
result=file.exists();
if(result){
// if file exists, read the contents
System.out.println("File exists... reading the contents");
Scanner s;
try {
s = new Scanner(file);
//print the contents of the file
while(s.hasNextLine()){
System.out.println(s.nextLine());
}
} catch (FileNotFoundException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
else{
//print message that the file does not exist
System.out.println("File does not exists");
}
}
}
Sample Output
Below is the sample output when you run the above example.
