Windows UNC Path Handling

[AlanGitMan]

The version of Eclipse-theia included in Arduino IDE V2.3.3 is - according to Arduino support - causing a highly reproducible issue with the use of UNC filenames when a Windows client and a Windows fileshare server are in use. I believe this is a known problem of quite long standing - please take this as a request to expedite a fix. .

Bug Description:

My config: Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.5011 16GB RAM 3.2GHz Intel processor.
When Arduino IDE user opens an existing project which resides on a UNC network share like:
\\windowserv\arduino\projects\myproject\myproject.ino

no error message is shown but the user only gets an empty template project. If the IDE is closed and restarted, then the project is correctly loaded. This affects any Arduino user who is using Windows to Windows file sharing using UNC. Arduino support says this is due to an issue with UNC filename handling in the Eclipse library.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. In Arduino V2.3.3 click on file->Open
2. Enter a UNC path like \\windowserv\arduino\projects\myproject\myproject.ino
3. Click "Open" button.
4. No error message occurs, but the user just gets a default empty project with just template "setup" and "loop" functions.
5. Close the Arduino IDE.
6. Open it up again - your project is NOW opened correctly.
7. The same thing happens if you click File-->preferences and set your default sketchbook location to a UNC share and open a project.
8. If you map the Arduino share to a local drive name (essentially mount the share as a drive letter) - for example map the share as drive "q:"
   then open
   q:\projects\myproject\myproject.ino"
   then it all works as it should. This is not an ideal workaround for reasons given below.

Additional Information

This potentially affects any users of Arduino IDE on Windows (which is reckoned to be 70% of users) though in reality it is those using Arduino IDE in shared environments (home networks, schools, colleges, universities) who will be affected. As shown above, the mapped drives workaround is available, but that workaround comes with its own set of issues which arise from thread blocking in the client Windows system when network or hardware problems can occur - even if the shared drive is not actually in use. So the workaround is less than ideal.

• Operating System: Windows 10 (probably 11 as well)
• Theia Version: Whatever version is built into Arduino V2.3.3

[msujew]

It is indeed a known problem, as it is a duplicate of #11997. Please continue the discussion in there.

Since the issue seems to be extra relevant to users of the Arduino IDE, I would advise the contributors of Arduino to work on this themselves. I've added the help wanted label quite a while ago to the issue.

[AlanGitMan]

Well, they say they are waiting for you guys. So I am piggy in the middle here!

[msujew]

I've listed the issue in our support epic #13192. However, I find it a bit unexpected that a company (with people that have a history of contributing to Theia), just waits on us (maintainers of a free open source project) do to their work/bidding without any incentive. Not faulting you @AlanGitMan, but we just don't have enough time/resources to address everything in this repo without outside help.

[AlanGitMan]

Completely understand Mark - hopefully it's just a communication thing with Arduino. I'll periodically remind them that you are waiting for coop with them on this . Best regards Alan Trevennor - UK.

…

________________________________ From: Mark Sujew ***@***.***> Sent: 02 November 2024 10:06 To: eclipse-theia/theia ***@***.***> Cc: Alan Trevennor ***@***.***>; Mention ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [eclipse-theia/theia] Windows UNC Path Handling (Issue #14387) I've listed the issue in our support epic #13192<#13192>. However, I find it a bit unexpected that a company (with people that have a history of contributing to Theia), just waits on us (maintainers of a free open source project) do to their work/bidding without any incentive. Not faulting you @AlanGitMan<https://github.com/AlanGitMan>, but we just don't have enough time/resources to address everything in this repo without outside help. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#14387 (comment)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ACISC7IWN7Q2YFODTMTK3RDZ6SP2BAVCNFSM6AAAAABRBRZB2GVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDINJSHE2DEMJVGY>. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[per1234]

they say they are waiting for you guys

This is false @AlanGitMan . We never said that we are waiting for the Theia "guys".

What was said is that the fix must be made in Theia. As I explained on your Arduino Forum topic Theia is an open source project that everyone is welcome to contribute to. So, as @msujew pointed out, Arduino is welcome to contribute the fix for the bug as our priorities and resources allow. Just the same, @AlanGitMan is welcome to contribute that fix. But what you did instead was waste the time of the Theia maintainers by submitting a duplicate issue that stirred up drama.

[AlanGitMan]

It was not my intention to foment drama.

they say they are waiting for you guys

This is false @AlanGitMan . We never said that we are waiting for the Theia "guys".

What was said is that the fix must be made in Theia.

Surely, you are not contending that, having identified that "the fix must be made in Theia", that you didn't let them know this? It's a fair assumption that Arduino's efforts toward fixing this problem are therefore dependent on Theia which is what my statement effectively said - perhaps too emotively. As you see above, the Theia view is that they posted a "help wanted" on this - which I (perhaps falsely) assumed meant they needed help from Arduino. Yes, I should eschew assumption!

I get that in the Open Source world everyone is doing stuff around a full time job or occupation and honestly I am grateful for all that you folks do. I am not sure if my skillset is suitable for helping fix this issue - but anything I can do within my capabilities I am ready and waiting to do.