Does file exist?

[tbohon]

Need to be able to determine whether or not a specific file exists in a specific directory. Situation is this: if the file has already been compressed (e.g., a .Z file) then I need to use zcat ... but if it hasn't been compressed, I'll need to use cat.

Isn't there a Unix command that returns a value indicating the existence of the file?

Tnx as always in advance.

"My mind is like a steel whatchamacallit ...

 

[motoslide]

You can use the test operator in an if statement like so:

cd (desire directory)
if [ -f filename.Z ]
then
zcat filename
else
if [ -f filename ]
then
cat filename
fi
fi

 

[tbohon]

That simple, huh? Now I really AM embarassed ... I was headed completely the wrong direction with a much more convoluted method ... <sigh>

Actually I haven't worked with Unix scripting for several years and am real, REAL rusty. My duties at the hospital now include being system administrator for several different Unix servers so I'm fast-tracking the learning curve.

Appreciate it a great deal - have a great evening/day/week!!!

Tom

"My mind is like a steel whatchamacallit ...