FILE( ) Function
Locates the specified file.
FILE(cFileName [, nFlags])
Parameters
cFileName
Specifies the name of the file to locate. cFileName must include the file extension. You can include a path with the file name to search for a file in a directory or on a drive other than the current directory or drive.If you do not include a path with the file name, Visual FoxPro searches in the default directory for the file. If it cannot find the file in the default directory, Visual FoxPro searches along the Visual FoxPro path, which is established with SET PATH.
nFlags
Specifies the kind of value FILE( ) returns when the file exists but might be marked with the Hidden or System attribute. The following table lists the values for nFlags.nFlags
Description
0
FILE( ) returns False (.F.) if the file exists but is marked with a Hidden or System attribute. (Default)
1
FILE( ) returns True (.T.) if the file exists, regardless of its file attributes. Setting nFlags to 1 allows you to check for hidden or system files.
Return Value
Logical data type. FILE( ) returns True (.T.) if the specified file is found on disk; otherwise, it returns False (.F.).
Remarks
You can use the ADIR( ) function to retrieve specific attributes for the file.
You can use the CD and CHDIR commands to switch to hidden files and directories.
Example
The following example displays a message indicating if the Visual FoxPro resource file exists in the Visual FoxPro startup directory.
SET PATH TO HOME( )
CLEAR
IF FILE('foxuser.dbf')
WAIT WINDOW 'Visual FoxPro resource file present'
ELSE
WAIT WINDOW 'Visual FoxPro resource file not present'
ENDIF