check file existence

[Alex Cheung Tin Ka]

Dear All,
    I have a problem on using CGI to check the file existence in a directory. Here is 
my code

$workDir = "/usr/local/home/tkcheung/systemadmin/singlesar/Report";
$path = "tulisar030108.rpt";
$notAvailabe = 0;
$a = qq`$workDir/$path`;    
if (! -e $a){ $notAvailable = 1;}
return $notAvailable;

    The file does exist, but the code always return 1; 
    I do try to install the module Test::File (but failed) and using open file to test 
the file existence ( it works)

    I would ike to know how to use the "-e" to check it. 

Regards,
Alex