How to check if a file already exists in R ?

In this article, we will discuss how to check if a file already exists or not using R Programming Languague.

Directory in use:

Method 1: Using File.exists()

The function file.exists() returns a logical vector indicating whether the file mentioned in the function existing or not. 

Note: Make sure that to provide a file path for those, not in the current working directory.

Syntax: File.exists(“file_path”)

Return value: The function file.exists() returns a logical vector indicating whether the files named by its argument exist.

• TRUE- file exists
• FALSE- file does not  exists

Example:

R

file.exists("Akshit.R")

Output:

[1] TRUE

Example 2:

R

file.exists("GFG.R")

Output:

[1] FALSE

Method 2: Using file_test() 

This function can also be used to check whether the file is existing or not.

Syntax: file_test(op, x, y)

Parameter:

• op: a character string specifying the test to be performed. Unary tests (only x is used) are “-f” (existence and not being a directory), “-d” (existence and directory) and “-x” (executable as a file or searchable as a directory). Binary tests are “-nt” (strictly newer than, using the modification dates) and “-ot” (strictly older than): in both cases the test is false unless both files exist.
• x, y: character vectors giving file paths.

Returns: The function file_test() returns a logical vector indicating whether the files named by its argument exist.

• TRUE- file exists
• FALSE- file does not  exists

Example

R

#"-f" (existence and not
# being a directory)
file_test("-f","Akshit.R")

Output

[1] TRUE

Example 2:

R

file_test("-f","GFG.R")

Output

[1] TRUE