mac - If FileExists(fileName) always returns false

[CaptBenB]

newbie question... I have looked all day yesterday and today... but can't seem to figure this out.  any help is appreciated.

procedure TForm1.FormActivate(Sender: TObject);
var
  fileName: string;
  answer: boolean;
begin

  fileName := 'test';  // -- this file exists
  answer:=FileExists(fileName);

  If answer=True Then  showmessage('True');
  If answer=False Then  showmessage('False');
end

[BSaidus]

try to use the full path to the file.

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1.   filename = IncludeTrailingPathDelimiter(GetCurrentDir()) + 'test';
2.   answer:=FileExists(fileName);
3.  
4.   If answer=True Then  showmessage('True');
5.   If answer=False Then  showmessage('False');
6.  

[CaptBenB]

Good idea... but still the same result.

[lainz]

Remember that's macOS, and files are considered to be inside the app bundle by default.

To access external files you must include the full path.

[dsiders]

Remember that's macOS, and files are considered to be inside the app bundle by default.

To access external files you must include the full path.

I would absolute to that requirement. There's also permissions to consider (it is Unix after all). Case. Phase of the moon. And Tim Cook's shoe size.

[TRon]

And Tim Cook's shoe size.

Which happens to be ... 42 ? 

[madref]

i had that problem...
Take a look here https://forum.lazarus.freepascal.org/index.php/topic,67246.0.html

[JdeHaan]

Hi,

On MacOS you need to use the full file path, including the name and file extension, e.g.:

/Users/YourName/Documents/Programming/Projects/new/test.pas

In the Finder window, select the respective file. At the bottom of the window you'll find the breadcrumb path. Right click on the file name and click "Copy 'test.xyz' as Pathname".
Paste the copied path into your code.

see attached example of the breadcrumb.

[Thaddy]

It does not have to be a full path, on mac it also works with relative paths (at least it used to) './test'

[MarkMLl]

This one ain't my fight since I'm not a Mac user, but I'd point out that

* OP hasn't told us whether "test" is a file or a directory/folder.

* OP hasn't told us what version of FPC he's using.

* A year or so ago the behaviour of FileExists() was changed to explicitly ignore directories in all cases.

MarkMLl

[CaptBenB]

Thank you for all of your responses.  I'll look into them as I get time.  I switched to windows and my code works ok.  So it's probably some permissions and path issues with mac.  Thanks again! and fwiw it's, Lazarus/Freepascal Version 3.2, Mac OS Intel Sonoma 14.5 and test is a file.