I'm looking for a file based on what a user types in.  I'm trying to use
the dir() command to see if the file exists.  My problem is that the user
could type in an invalid path.  If this happens, I get a path not found
error.  How can I check to see if the file and path both exist?

You could go ahead and use dir() and just trap errors, and ask for
re-input when an error occurs.

You can test for the file \sub\dir\path\. (note period at end) to
determine if subdirectory \sub\dir\path exists.  If it does, you'll get
the name of the first real file in it.  If it doesn't, you'll get a path
not found error that you can trap.  If it exists but it's empty, you'll
get a null string.

Steve Young
Young Computing

reservoirs of wisdom:

trap the error with an On Error. react to Path Not Found errors,
and tell the user.

--
Newbiehood is not a period of time, it's a way of life.

http://www.sn.no/~balchen
ftp://ftp.sn.no/user/balchen/

My method for doing so, while perhaps not the most elegant, works just fine:
Create an integer variable (e.g. tempnum), and a string variable (e.g.
FileExists$). Then use this code:
On Error Goto NoFile
tempnum = FileLen(<path typed by user>)
If (FileExists$ <> "None")
        <whatever>
Else
        <whatever>
End if
Exit Sub

NoFile:
FileExists$ = "None"
Resume Next

to check file name I use:
On error resume next

a = filedatetime(user file)
if err<>0 then file_dont_exist = true

To check a path simply strip away the filename and try changing the
dir: chdir(user path)

hope this helps

Rune Moe