Question

Using ANT, how can i make sure that directory exists before attempting to remove it?

As part of my current clean task, i

<target name="clean" description="clean">
    <delete dir="${build}" />
    <delete dir="${bin}" />
    <delete dir="${dist}/myrunner.${version}.jar" />
    <delete dir="${doc}" />
    <delete dir="${report}" />
</target>

This works well, however (obviously) remove happens when there is something to remove.

Using ANT, how can i check if directory exist?

Answer 1

Nice and clean solution below:
Using ant-contribs.jar

When using this solution, be sure to put the following line on top

<!-- For <if> statements -->
<taskdef resource="net/sf/antcontrib/antlib.xml" />

<!-- Remove distribution directories and their content for a clean build -->
<target name="clean" description="clean">

<if>
<available file="${build}" type="dir" />
<then>
<delete dir="${build}" />
</then>
</if>
</target>