php weird file_exists bug

Question

Has anyone got any idea to why doesn't the following work ?

$file = 'images/thumbs/1%20-%20Copy.jpg';
if(!file_exists($file)){
 die('NOT THERE');  
}

echo 'Yes its there.';

The problem is with the spaces. I have checked the file exists,dbl checked n triple checked im going nuts. :(

Help

Answer 1

file_exists works on the file system and not via HTTP. So %20 will not be recognized as space but literally as %20; use spaces instead:

$file = 'images/thumbs/1 - Copy.jpg';

Answer 2

$file = rawurldecode('images/thumbs/1%20-%20Copy.jpg');