Is it possible to check if a file exists on disk using Javascript (not running in a browser)?

Question

I am using an app that uses only JavaScript as its scripting language. I have a .ini file and I need to see if it exists. Is this possible?

Also, if it doesn't exist, how can I halt the execution?

what app are you using? it depends on what they provide for you. — Daniel A. White
– Daniel A. White, Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 17:41
As long as Javascript is not running in the server, then it might be possible to do that. But I need to know the OS that you are targeting.? — billygoat
– billygoat, Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 17:42
Sorry it's Win7. Also the app I use doesn't give any extra functionality other than controlling the app, which are stuff like adding effects, text on an image, resize image, delete layers, etc. But no generic file IO or libs. — Joan Venge
– Joan Venge, Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 17:45

Joan Venge · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-07 20:44:18Z

3

Ok doing something like this works:

var file = new File(datafile);
var result = file.open ('r');

if result is true, then the file exists, otherwise false means the file does not exist.

answered Sep 7, 2011 at 20:44

Joan Venge

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2 Comments

XP1 Over a year ago

Can you provide some documentation for this File object? What environment is it used in?

XP1 Over a year ago

SpiderMonkey (https://developer.mozilla.org/en/SpiderMonkey/File_object) and Adobe ExtendScript.

score 1 · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-07 18:02:30Z

1

"Yes", assuming ActiveX can be used.

See FileSystemObject aka "FSO" (the FileExists method in particular). FSO is part of Windows Scripting.

It is also possible to use the MSXML load method to access a "file://" and catch the appropriate error. (I don't know if a vanilla XmlHttpRequest request of "file://" can be used here, and/or in what contexts... it might differ between the XHR from MSXML and the one baked into IE7/8 as well.)

Happy coding.

If the JavaScript runs from an HTA/HTML Aplication or Windows Sidgebar Gadget, etc, then it's in "Security Level 0" or "Demigod Mode".

On the other hand, an HTA runs as a fully trusted application and therefore has more privileges than a normal HTML file...

edited Sep 7, 2011 at 18:02

answered Sep 7, 2011 at 17:49

user166390

3 Comments

Joan Venge Over a year ago

Thanks I tried this var fso = new ActiveXObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject"); but it says activexobject doesn't have a constructor.

user166390 Over a year ago

@Joan Venge Perhaps Photoshop does not support ActiveX, or perhaps the syntax is different.

Joan Venge Over a year ago

I don't think it supports ActiveX, I will look it up. But is this not possible without using ActiveX?

Ed The ''Pro'' · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-18 19:05:15Z

1

Try this:

var myfile = new File(myfile_path);

if (!myfile.exists) {
    alert(myfile + " could not be found!");
}

edited Jul 18, 2018 at 19:05

Ed The ''Pro''

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answered Feb 18, 2013 at 21:46

faham

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