file_exists() function doesn't return a value

[cooldht]

Hi all,

I ran into a cool function in a google search, called file_exists that would do exactly what I need it to do. Unfortunately, I think something is wrong with the logic I'm using, because it returns a value of null instead of true or false. It seems to work great if I check for something in the base directory, but when I try something outside of the root, it fails. The check file code looks like this:

if (file_exists($filename)) {
    echo "The file $filename exists";
} else {
    echo "The file $filename does not exist";
}

If I say $filename = 'abcdef.php' which exists in the root directory, it returns true and everything is fine. But, if $filename = '/dir1/dir2/abcdef.php', it doesn't return true or false.

Does anyone have any ideas if I am using the correct structure for specifying the directories?

Thanks!

[pbmods]

Heya, cooldht.

Please use CODE tags when posting source code. See the REPLY GUIDELINES on the right side of the page next time you post.

What OS is your server running?

Try checking for errors.

[cooldht]

Hi PB,

Sorry about leaving out the tags. I'm assuming you wanted to know the PHP version on the server. That is 4.3.8-1.1. Just in case, the MYSQL version is 3.23.58-4.

Thanks!

cooldht

[cooldht]

Sorry again,

I forgot to mention that I have the debugging on in the page, and didn't receive any error messages.

Thanks,

ct

[pbmods]

Heya, cooldht.

*n?x or Windows?

[cooldht]

I'm not the main person that deals with the server side of things, so forgive me if I don't answer correctly. I can access the server, so I can view certain statistics. I can see the OS running says Linux 2.6.8-022stab070.9-enterprise. Is that what you are looking for?

Thanks,

ct

[pbmods]

Heya, CT.

That'll do it. Thanks.

Can you verify that the file exists? For example:

var_dump(file_exists($filename));
echo '<br />';
fread($filename);
 

If you see something like this:

NULL
This is a sample file.
 

Then you know that file_exists() is misbehaving because the file definitely exists.

[cooldht]

Hi PB,

I received the following when trying the code mentioned:

bool(false)

Warning: Wrong parameter count for fread() in /home/httpd/vhosts/httpdocs/pictures.php on line 59

The funny thing is, if I put the page in the same directory as where the file exists, it finds the file ok by making $filename equal to roses.gif only, instead of specifying /images/roses.gif.

Thanks,

ct

[pbmods]

Heya, CT.

One more:

var_dump($filename);
echo '<br />';
 
var_dump(file_exists($filename));
echo '<br />';
fread($filename);
 

The 'wrong parameter count' error generally means that the value of the first parameter to fread() is null, which would lead me to wonder if perhaps $filename is not getting set properly.

[cooldht]

Thanks for the reply.

Ok, this is what was returned this time around....

string(17) "/images/roses.gif"
bool(false)

Warning: Wrong parameter count for fread() in /home/httpd/vhosts/httpdocs/pictures.php on line 61

Any ideas?

Thanks!

CT

[pbmods]

Heya, CT.

My bad. I meant readfile().

At any rate, file_exists() is returning false because it's looking for a directory named 'images' at the root level of your server's hard drive.

Try this instead:

var_dump(file_exists($_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] . '/' . $filename));
 

[jx2]

you can try "dot" for current dir or double dot for "parent directory
if your root contain two directories :

brother
sister

and your script is in sister
e.g. "./sister/sisterscript.php"

to acces brother you need:

e.g. "../brother/brotherscript.php"

regards
jx2

[cooldht]

Hi guys,

I selectively forgot to mention that I had tried the old ../ trick right off the bat, and didn't seem to do it. However, the DOCUMENT_ROOT trick seems to work ok. Thanks PB! I think I can make due doing it this way. Although, I'm a little surprised this worked, but the ../ trick didn't. Oh well, live and learn! Thanks for all the help!

CT

[pbmods]

Heya, CT.

Using '../' is a bit unpredictable because you don't necessarily know the current working directory.

Fortunately, PHP has a function for that!

[cooldht]

Thanks again PB. That could be very awesome. If that function works right for me, I could very well find myself doing some re-design on various websites as I think it could be a useful little gadget!

Thanks,

CT

[pbmods]

Heya, CT.

Good luck with your project, and if you ever need anything, post back anytime :)