.help "access,imaccess" Feb86 language
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NAME
access -- test whether a file exists
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USAGE
bool = access (filename)
bool = imaccess (imagename)
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PARAMETERS
.ls filename
The name of the file whose existence is to be tested.
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.ls imagename
The name of the image whose existence is to be tested.
.le
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DESCRIPTION
\fIAccess\fR is a boolean intrinsic function returning true ("yes") if the
named file exists.  \fIAccess\fR can only be called as a function in an
expression, not as a task.
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EXAMPLES
1. Type a file if it exists.

.nf
    if (access ("lib$motd"))
	type ("lib$motd")
    else
	error (11, "File not found")
.fi

2. Tell if a file and an image exists.

.nf
	cl> = access ("lib$motd")
	cl> = imaccess ("dev$pix")
.fi


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BUGS
An optional second argument should be added to test whether the named file
can be accessed for reading or writing.
.endhelp
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SEE ALSO
directory