In this step-by-step Node.js tutorial for 2025, you’ll learn how to check if a file exists in Node.js using different built-in methods provided by the fs (File System) module. File existence checks are essential for avoiding errors like ENOENT when reading, writing, or deleting files. Whether you’re building a file uploader, a content management system, or an automation script, knowing how to reliably verify a file’s presence is a key backend skill.

In this tutorial, we’ll explore multiple approaches:

Using fs.existsSync() for quick, synchronous checks

Using fs.access() for asynchronous checks with permission validation

Using fs.promises.access() with modern async/await syntax

Handling permissions (fs.constants.F_OK, R_OK, W_OK) to check file accessibility

Avoiding deprecated methods like fs.exists() and understanding why they are no longer recommended

Preventing race conditions when checking and then accessing files

Using try...catch blocks for safe error handling in file operations

Checking both files and directories, and differentiating between them

Writing reusable utility functions for file existence verification in projects

You’ll also see real-world examples of file existence checks, including:
Preventing overwriting existing files during uploads
Ensuring configuration files are present before starting an app
Validating user-specified file paths before processing them
Avoiding unnecessary file read/write operations for performance gains

We’ll also discuss when to use synchronous vs asynchronous checks, how they affect performance, and which method is best suited for different types of Node.js applications.

By the end of this tutorial, you will:

Know all the recommended ways to check if a file exists in Node.js

Understand fs module error handling related to missing files

Be able to write clean, reliable file verification logic for your backend applications

This video is part of our Node.js 2025 Playlist, which also covers related topics like handling EEXIST and ENOENT errors, deleting directories, and advanced file system operations.

Keywords Covered: Node.js file existence check, fs.existsSync Node.js, fs.access Node.js, fs.promises.access, check file accessibility Node.js, Node.js file handling tips, file verification in Node.js, backend file management 2025.

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