Why can't I use System.IO.File methods in an MVC controller?

Question

I am trying to see if a file exists before using it in an MVC controller:

string path = "content/image.jpg";  if (File.Exists(path)) {      //Other code } 

The File keyword is underlined in red, and the compiler shows an error:

System.Web.MVC.Controller.File(string, string, string) is a 'method', witch is not valid in the given context.

How can I use File.Exists() in a controller?

Answer 1

You should prefix it with a namespace:

if (System.IO.File.Exists(picPath)) {      //Other code } 

The reason for that is because you are writing this code inside a controller action which already defines a File method on the Controller class.