How to check if file exists in Java

In this tutorial, we will learn how can we test to check if file exists or a directory exist in given path in Java.

1. Check if file exists with File.exists() method

To test to see if a file or directory exists, use the “exists()” method of the Java java.io.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();
      }
   }
}

Program Output.

Temp file exists : true

2. Files.exists() and 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);     //true

//OR

Files.notExists(path);  //false

3. Check if file is readable, writable or executable

To verify that the program can access a file as needed, you can use the isReadable(Path), isWritable(Path), and isExecutable(Path) methods.

Java program to test a file if it is readable, writable and executable.

final Path path = ...;

Files.isReadable(path);

//OR

Files.isWritable(path);

//OR

Files.isExecutable(path);

That’s all for quick tip related to checking if a file or directory exists or does not exists in java. Along with test if program is allowed to append content to it by checking it’s writable attribute.

Happy Learning !!

Reference:

Java Docs

Further Reading:

Java ArrayList contains() – Check if element exists Java XPath – Check if node or attribute exists? Java Delete Temporary File