Check if a template group exists

Question

Is there a way to check if a template group exists either in the templates or in a add-on?

For example, I would want to do something like this

{if {exp:foo:template_exists name="blog/test"} == "true"}
    {embed="bar/qux"}
{if:else}
    {redirect="404"}
{/if}

Answer 1

As far as i'm aware this functionality is built in by default, if there is no template then it'll automatically 404 error.

Please see the ExpressionEngine URL Schematic here: http://www.jamessmith.co.uk/images/ExpressionEngine_url_schematic.png

Answer 2

As other have said, this is built in by default. Have a look at this article by Jovia Web Studio if you want to implement a more stringent 404 policy on your site. Comment are interesting as well.

Answer 3

What you are trying to do should be done using an Ajax function. Something like this:

$.ajax({
    type: 'HEAD',
    url: 'http://www.example.com/template_group/',
    success: function() {
        alert('Page found.');
    },  
    error: function() {
        alert('Page not found.');
    }
});

If there's an error, redirect to your 404 page.