exists and notExists

[Mark Thornton]

Alan Bateman wrote:
> If we can't determine the file exists then the exists() method will 
> return false. You cannot interpret this to mean the file does not 
> exist. This is the reason for the notExists method. It's a trivial 
> convenience method to allow you take action when it is confirmed that 
> a file does not exit.
So in the case where existence can't be determined, both methods will 
return false. I would prefer exists() to throw an exception which gave 
the reason as accurately as possible. The existing File.delete() method 
is very frustrating, as when it returns false there is a laundry list of 
possible reasons but no clue as to which is true.

Mark Thornton