php weird file_exists bug

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. :(

H开发者_如何学Pythonelp

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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';

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

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try these two

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