Check if file path is correct without checking if file exists

Question

I am working on an application installer. The user has to provide a file / directory path that will later be created by the application. I need to check if that path is valid (could exists). The problem is that I can not call file.exists() because it might not exist.

I know I could try to create it and then delete it. If it fails, the path is not valid. But is there a better, simpler way? Also, my work around requires special permissions for my installer which is not very good.

score 0 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:19

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Depends on your criteria for a valid path.

If you mean: path is well formed: Use regular expressions
If you mean: path is available, try !file.exists();

A regular expression for Unix based systems could be like this: [^\0]+

Also,you'll find lots more information in this SO Question

edited May 23 '17 at 12:19

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answered May 18 '11 at 08:44

Bart Vangeneugden

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I mean well formed, but i would resort to regular expressions as a last resort - for a pattern such as a valid path in windows they get big and error prone. – sebi May 18 '11 at 09:20

Check if file path is correct without checking if file exists

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