# exist

## Purpose

Check if a variable or file exists.

## Synopsis

    e = exist('item')

## Description

`exist('item')`, where `item` is either a variable or a file, returns

`0` if `A` is none of the following

`1` if the variable `A` exists in the workspace

`2` if either `A` or `A`.`m` is the name of a file on disk

`3` if `A` is a MEX-file

`4` if `A` is a compiled SIMULINK function

`5` if `A` is a built-in MATLAB function

## See Also

    dir, help, lookfor, what, which, who

(c) Copyright 1994 by The MathWorks, Inc.