How to find if file exists in UTL_FILE_DIR

Question

One of my programs need to check if a particular file exists. How do I know if a file exists or not. Basically I have to append data to an existin file or open a new file if the file doesn't exists.
I'm using utl_file for writin the files
Please provide your valuable suggestion.
Thanks

Answer 1

If you are using an older version, you can also use DBMS_LOB.FILEEXISTS instead of utl_file.fgetattr, like so:
DECLARE
  v_bfile       BFILE := BFILENAME ('MY_DIR', 'my_report.txt');
  v_file_handle UTL_FILE.FILE_TYPE;
BEGIN
  IF (DBMS_LOB.FILEEXISTS (v_bfile ) = 1) THEN
    v_file_handle := UTL_FILE.FOPEN ('MY_DIR', 'my_report.txt', 'a');
    UTL_FILE.PUT_LINE (v_file_handle, 'continuing report');
  ELSE
    v_file_handle := UTL_FILE.FOPEN ('MY_DIR', 'my_report.txt', 'w');
    UTL_FILE.PUT_LINE (v_file_handle, 'starting report');
  END IF;
  UTL_FILE.FCLOSE (v_file_handle);
END;