Detect file existance before open?

[Bill Rodgers]

I would like to check for the existance of a file before I attempt an open
and maybe throw an exception.  I don't see a way to do this.  I would like
to tell the user that the file he specified doesn't exist.  Is there a way
to do this or do I need to catch the exception and deal with it that way?
Thanks,
--
Bill Rodgers
Enterprise Management Consultant
Specialty: BMC/Patrol
brodg1 at ix.netcom.com