Check if .plist file exists

Scripting Forums AppleScriptObjC and Xcode
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#1

I try to check if a .plist file exists in user library folder. Following this, I try:

property file_path : quoted form of POSIX path of ("~/Library/Preferences/org.MyFile.plist")

tell application "Finder" to set optsFound to exists file_path
		if optsFound then
			display dialog file_path
		else
			beep
		end if

Obviously file exist but I always get a beep :frowning:

And how can I set the path of the plist file without set the user’s name?
Thanks.

P.S. I try also this but din’t work.

#2

One of the problems is “~/” will not get expanded in applescript

You could try this.

property library_folderPath : (path to preferences folder from user domain) as string
property file_ : "org.MyFile.plist"
property file_path : "" 
try
	set file_path to POSIX path of (library_folderPath & file_ as alias)
	
	display dialog file_path
on error
	beep
end try

You can lose some code by combining the first line and second,

property library_folderPath : (path to preferences folder from user domain) & "org.MyFile.plist" as string
property file_path : ""
try
	set file_path to POSIX path of (library_folderPath as alias)
	
	display dialog file_path
on error
	beep
end try

but I think it is better for editing and reuse to keep
the file name separate

#3

Hi,

it’s strongly not recommended to assign a relative path to a property.
Once compiled the path is persisitent and the script is not protable.
You could check for an existing domain in the plist file with /usr/bin/defaults


property file_name : "org.MyFile"
property domain : "myDomain"

try
	do shell script "/usr/bin/defaults read " & file_name & " " & domain
	return true
on error
	return false
end try
#4

Thanks a lot for both your reply.

@StefanK

Your statement is correct but I think that path to user’s preferences folder is quite absolute than relative, isn’t it?

I’m trying to ASOCifing scripts of portable applications, hoping it worth. I know are not a scripts masterpiece, just done with great passion for . Thanks for all your help.

#5

No, path to preferences folder is a relative path (alias [startup disk]:Users:[current user]:Library:Preferences:)
At compile time the property will be set to the path to the preference folder of the current user.
It won’t work in a different user account unless the script will be recompiled

#6

Thanks for the reminder of this Stefan.
Its probably best to try and remember this, even if it is being coerced into a POSIX path.