diff --git a/matlab/utilities/general/isfile.m b/matlab/utilities/general/isfile.m
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bcc3197ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/matlab/utilities/general/isfile.m
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+function a = isfile(b)
+
+%@info:
+%! @deftypefn {Function File} {@var{a} =} isfile (@var{b})
+%! @anchor{isfile}
+%! @sp 1
+%! Test if @var{b} is a file.
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{Inputs}
+%! @sp 1
+%! @table @var
+%! @item b
+%! A matlab/octave string.
+%! @end table
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{Outputs}
+%! @sp 1
+%! @table @var
+%! @item a
+%! Integer scalar, equal to 1 if @var{b} is a file, zero otherwise.
+%! @end table
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{This function is called by:}
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{This function calls:}
+%! @sp 2
+%! @end deftypefn
+%@eod:
+
+% Copyright (C) 2012 Dynare Team
+% stephane DOT adjemian AT ens DOT fr
+%
+% This file is part of Dynare.
+%
+% Dynare is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+% it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+% the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+% (at your option) any later version.
+%
+% Dynare is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+% but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+% MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+% GNU General Public License for more details.
+%
+% You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+% along with Dynare.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+[base,ext] = strtok(b,'.');
+
+if isempty(ext)
+    % File has no extension.
+    [status, c] = fileattrib(b);
+    if status
+        a = ~c.directory;
+    else
+        a = 0;
+    end
+else
+    a = isequal(exist(b,'file'),2);
+end
\ No newline at end of file