Checking if file exists in asp.net mvc 5

Question

I am checking for the existence of a file bu cannot find it, regardless of whether it is there or not

if (System.IO.File.Exists("~/files/downloads/" + fileCode + ".pdf"))
            {
                return File("~/files/downloads/" + fileCode, "application/pdf", Server.UrlEncode(fileCode));
            }
            else
            {
                return View("ErrorNotExistsView");
            }

How can I amend the code to check for the existence of the file correctly?

What do you mean "cannot find it"? Does the code enter the "if" part or the "else" part? — chiapa
– chiapa, Commented Sep 1, 2015 at 10:32

Andrew Shepherd · Accepted Answer · 2018-12-10 22:49:31Z

53

System.IO.File will work if you provide an absolute path or a relative path. A relative path will not be relative to the HTML root folder, but the current working directory. The current working directory will be a value like C:\Program Files (x86)\IIS Express.

The ~ character at the beginning of the file path is only interpreted as part of the current ASP.NET context, which the File methods know nothing about.

The method to help you here is HttpServerUtility.MapPath

If you are in a controller method, you can invoke this method on the object HttpContext.Server, otherwise (e.g. in a View) you can use HttpContext.Current.Server.

 var relativePath = "~/files/downloads/" + fileCode + ".pdf";
 var absolutePath = HttpContext.Server.MapPath(relativePath);
 if(System.IO.File.Exists(absolutePath)) ....

edited Dec 10, 2018 at 22:49

answered Sep 1, 2015 at 10:35

Andrew Shepherd

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4 Comments

chiapa Over a year ago

I wasn't aware that File.Exists() only works for absolute paths, thanks

Sagiv b.g Over a year ago

msdn for File.Exists says: "The path parameter is permitted to specify relative or absolute path information. Relative path information is interpreted as relative to the current working directory. "

Andrew Shepherd Over a year ago

@Sag1v - OK, I've updated my answer to accommodate your feedback.

Alan Over a year ago

I used this in Razor and noted I needed to add .Current in the path, i.e. HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath(relativePath).

Abduhafiz · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-26 12:43:07Z

4

Here's my solution:

<span>
@{
    var profileImg = "/Images/" + User.Identity.GetUserId() + ".jpg";
    var absolutePath = HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath(profileImg);
    if (System.IO.File.Exists(absolutePath))
    {
        <img alt="image" width="50" height="50" class="img-circle" src="@profileImg" />
    }
    else
    {
        <img alt="image" width="50" height="50" class="img-circle" src="~/Images/profile_small.jpg" />
    }
}
</span>

answered Jan 26, 2018 at 12:43

Abduhafiz

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Comments

Darko · Accepted Answer · 2015-09-01 10:42:09Z

3

Exists() can return false if app has not sufficient permissions to access the file. So you should grant those to appPool on specific folder and files.

answered Sep 1, 2015 at 10:42

Darko

875 bronze badges

Comments

Alan Birtles · Accepted Answer · 2018-08-13 16:15:12Z

1

File.Exists() will need the full path. Try using something like:

@"C:\users\yourUsername\myDocuments\files\\downloads\" + fileCode + ".pdf"

instead of:

"~/files/downloads/" + fileCode + ".pdf"

edited Aug 13, 2018 at 16:15

Alan Birtles

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answered Aug 13, 2018 at 15:37

YongaJ

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Comments

Mirzan · Accepted Answer · 2021-01-07 07:39:15Z

 @if (Session["staff_no"] != null)
                        {
                            string image = Session["staff_no"].ToString();

                            if (Session["sex"].ToString() == "1")
                            {
                                if (@File.Exists(Server.MapPath("/images/employees/profile_pic/" + image + ".jpg")).ToString() == "True")
                                {
                                    <img id="prof_image2" src="/images/employees/profile_pic/@Url.Content(Session["staff_no"].ToString() + ".jpg")" onerror="this.src = '/images/employees/profile_pic/profile-pic-male.jpg'" class="img-circle" alt="User Image">
                                }
                                else
                                {
                                    <img id="prof_image2" src="/images/employees/profile_pic/profile-pic-male.jpg" class="img-circle" alt="User Image">
                                }
                            }
                            else
                            {
                                if (@File.Exists(Server.MapPath("/images/employees/profile_pic/" + image + ".jpg")).ToString() == "True")
                                {
                                    <img id="prof_image2" src="/images/employees/profile_pic/@Url.Content(Session["staff_no"].ToString() + ".jpg")" onerror="this.src = '/images/employees/profile_pic/profile-pic-female.jpg'" class="img-circle" alt="User Image">
                                }
                                else
                                {
                                    <img id="prof_image2" src="/images/employees/profile_pic/profile-pic-female.jpg" class="img-circle" alt="User Image">
                                }
                            }
                        }

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