Checking a file exists?

[Oatley]

Hello, I'm looking for some help please.

I wish to check 2 absolute paths to images on two different servers of mine. If it exists in the first path then I'd echo a message, but if no file is found then I'd check the second path and echo a message if it's found. If that's not found I'd show a Final message saying no file found.

However I've tried using file_exists and I always seem to get a message that no file is found despite a file definitely being there. Can anyone help and advise here please?

Thank you

[Fou-Lu]

file_exists won't work on a remote machine; it is listed as belonging to the stat family, and as such are not supported by http protocol. You can use the ssh2.sftp protocol though.

[Oatley]

Ok, have found the answer and can use fopen(). Just another question on this though please. I plan to use this check on several images on my front page of my website like this. Is using fopen() here like this on several images putting a huge strain on my server?

Thanks

[Oatley]

Thanks Fou-Lu. Must have both replied at the same time!

[Fou-Lu]

Sure, I mean you're using fopen remotely so each check has to go out and connect to the remote machine. Its no different than navigating to a website and loading an image, the only difference is you are not actually moving the data.
BTW, it will also only work remotely if you have allow_url_fopen enabled, and it must be served via the HTTPD on the remote machine. Otherwise use sockets.