IRAF help page for package language, program access

• filename

bool = access (filename)

filename

Access is a boolean intrinsic function returning true ("yes") if the named file exists. Access can only be called as a function in an expression, not as a task.

1. Type a file if it exists.

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

2. Tell if a file exists.

cl> = access ("lib$motd")

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

.ih, directory,