If 'open' cannot open the file for whatever reason, it will return false; typically most do open (...) or die $!;, but if you want a cleaner way for a CGI output, for example, just test the return value of open, and if false, report that nicely to the user, otherwise continue to read in the file.

---

Dr. Michael K. Neylon - mneylon-pm@masemware.com || "You've left the lens cap of your mind on again, Pinky" - The Brain