How to check if file exists in java

In this tutorial, we will learn how can we test to see if a file or directory exists in Java?

Using java.io.File.exists() method

To test to see if a file or directory exists, use the “exists()” method of the Java File class, as shown here:

File tempFile = new File("c:/temp/temp.txt");
boolean exists = tempFile.exists();

If above method returns true then file or directory does exist, and otherwise does not exists.

import java.io.File;
import java.io.IOException;

public class TemporaryFileExample
{
   public static void main(String[] args)
   {
      File temp;
      try
      {
         temp = File.createTempFile("myTempFile", ".txt");
         
         boolean exists = temp.exists();
         
         System.out.println("Temp file exists : " + exists);
      } catch (IOException e)
      {
         e.printStackTrace();
      }
   }
}

Output:

Temp file exists : true

Using java.nio.file.Files.exists() and java.nio.file.Files.notExists() methods

Java NIO also provides good ways to test whether a file exists or not. Use Files.exists() method or Files.notExists() method for this.

final Path path = Files.createTempFile("testFile", ".txt");

Files.exists(path, LinkOption.NOFOLLOW_LINKS);

//OR

Files.notExists(path, LinkOption.NOFOLLOW_LINKS);

That’s all for quick tip related to checking if a file exists or does not exists in java.

Happy Learning !!