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[Portable Install] Error reading settings.ini & project files. #2791

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[Portable Install] Error reading settings.ini & project files.#2791
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bugConfirmed bugs or reports that are very likely to be bugs.projects

Description

@sky5walk
sky5walk
opened on Aug 1, 2021

Details for the issue

What did you do?

Download latest DB4S-x64 nightly.
Open a previously saved sqbpro file.

What did you expect to see?

Opened DB4S with populated panels.

What did you see instead?

DB4S crashes or quits without prompt.

Useful extra information

The info below often helps, please fill it out if you're able to. :)

What operating system are you using?

  • Windows: ( version:10 Pro v20H2_ )
  • Linux: ( distro: ___ )
  • macOS: ( version: ___ )
  • Other: ___

What is your DB4S version?

  • 3.12.2
  • 3.12.1
  • 3.12.0
  • 3.11.x
  • Other: ___Nightly v3.12.99-210724

Did you also

Activity

  1. sky5walk commented on Aug 1, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 1, 2021
    Author

    I think the sqbpro file is missing an xml closure element for </sql>?
    Or I need help copying many sql queries into the newer sqbpro file format.
    How to do? I cannot recreate sooo many files. :(

  2. justinclift commented on Aug 1, 2021

    @justinclift
    justinclift
    on Aug 1, 2021
    Member

    Uh oh, this definitely sounds like something we need to fix, as it's supposed to work.

    @MKleusberg @mgrojo @scottfurry ping?

  3. justinclift
    added
    bugConfirmed bugs or reports that are very likely to be bugs.
    on Aug 1, 2021

  4. mgrojo commented on Aug 1, 2021

    @mgrojo
    mgrojo
    on Aug 1, 2021
    Member

    Which version created that project file? Do you mean that is not well formed? Maybe an XML validator program gives some hint. Could you test if the older version still opens the file?

  5. sky5walk commented on Aug 2, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 2, 2021
    Author

    Yes, the older version can open the files.
    I was debugging with nightly v210127 because I was randomly losing all data in my sqbpro files.

  6. mgrojo commented on Aug 2, 2021

    @mgrojo
    mgrojo
    on Aug 2, 2021
    Member

    I saved a project file using v3.11.2 and opened it using the latest commit in master branch. I need some reproduction steps or sample files in order to help.

  7. chrisjlocke
    added
    projects
    on Aug 2, 2021

  8. sky5walk commented on Aug 3, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 3, 2021
    Author

    I will submit example files as soon as I get time.
    Is there any difference in operation from full install vs portable?

  9. chrisjlocke commented on Aug 3, 2021

    @chrisjlocke
    chrisjlocke
    on Aug 3, 2021
    Member

    Is there any difference in operation from full install vs portable?

    Can you clarify your terminology - 'full install' (the 3.12.2 install) and the 'portable' (3.12.2 portable version) or do you mean a nightly?

  10. sky5walk commented on Aug 3, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 3, 2021
    Author

    When searching portable, I found an open ticket for some missing runtime? I didn't see what fixed it or how that affected use.

  11. chrisjlocke commented on Aug 3, 2021

    @chrisjlocke
    chrisjlocke
    on Aug 3, 2021
    Member

    All the nightlies are portable (in a loose sense) in that they don't need to be installed. They do read/write to the registry so they're not 100% 'portable', but simply extract the ZIP file and run the .exe.

  12. sky5walk commented on Aug 3, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 3, 2021
    Author

    Excellent, that saves me debugging the install step for the older version.
    I prefer portable for most applications.
    This way any customization can be transferred easily to other users.
    Especially true for Notepad++ and DB4S.
    I still don't know where the customized settings are stored? 😕

  13. chrisjlocke commented on Aug 3, 2021

    @chrisjlocke
    chrisjlocke
    on Aug 3, 2021
    Member

    The registry. Specifically [Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\sqlitebrowser\sqlitebrowser]

    image

  14. sky5walk commented on Aug 3, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 3, 2021
    Author

    Ok, that makes sense for an install on Windows platforms, but where are settings stored for portable?
    And, thinking cross-platform, wherefore art thou settings?

  15. chrisjlocke commented on Aug 4, 2021

    @chrisjlocke
    chrisjlocke
    on Aug 4, 2021
    Member

    I don't know what you mean by 'portable'. As above, if you mean the nightlies, then still the registry. If you mean the portableApps portable version, then still the registry, but also locally in an .INI file with the program. This is then imported back into the registry prior to loading. Other operating systems have their own mechanism. MacOS for example uses /Users/username/Library/Preferences. Linux would use .dot files in home directories, etc.

  16. 8 remaining items

  17. chrisjlocke commented on Aug 7, 2021

    @chrisjlocke
    chrisjlocke
    on Aug 7, 2021
    Member

    I feel we're going down a rabbit hole of questions and issues without resolving the main issue.
    Can you email me the sbpro file you're having issues with, which opens fine in an older version of DB4S and not a newer one (redirection.services.2021+2791@gmail.com).
    I'm aware (possibly) of a difference of base code between the official releases and the nightlies. You say 'an older version' and 'a nightly' - does the sqbpro file that does not open in a nightly open OK in 3.12.2 - the released version?
    (Note that 3.12.2 is still 'portable' - you don't have to install it and it can be run directly like the nightlies).

  18. sky5walk commented on Aug 7, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 7, 2021
    Author

    Yes, I have to sanitize before sending.
    Likewise, I would appreciate anyone confirming the following:

    1. Install any nightly as portable.
    2. Make some preference changes. Font size, dark mode, etc.
    3. Export those changes to a settings file.
    4. Exit DB4S.
    5. Open DB4S.
    6. Are your settings still in place?
      If so, why? Portable should not write to the Registry.
      But, I think it is.
      Portable should either use default settings or custom settings file in a known path.
    7. Attempt to import prior saved settings file.
      This fails for me in all scenarios.
      I prefer not to investigate sqbpro file reads if this basic function is broken.

  19. chrisjlocke commented on Aug 7, 2021

    @chrisjlocke
    chrisjlocke
    on Aug 7, 2021
    Member

    If so, why? Portable should not write to the Registry.

    I mentioned this above. DB4S isn't 100% 'portable' in that it leaves remnants behind. It's not written from the ground up to be portable. There are just shims in place to export/import the registry values where required (eg, the portableApps version) or simply write to the registry like the normal application (in the case of the .zip).
    Don't read 'portable' literally - you'll save yourself an aneurysm.

  20. chrisjlocke commented on Aug 7, 2021

    @chrisjlocke
    chrisjlocke
    on Aug 7, 2021
    Member

    if this basic function is broken

    If you're talking about the -S option, then that's not a 'basic function - that is a new development thing in development only in the development version.

  21. mgrojo commented on Aug 7, 2021

    @mgrojo
    mgrojo
    on Aug 7, 2021
    Member

    I've reviewed the code for the -S option and haven't seen any apparent problem. What are exactly the values that are written?

  22. sky5walk commented on Aug 9, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 9, 2021
    Author

    Ok,
    The exported settings defines paths multiple ways?

    recentFileList=C:/try/db/Copy.db, C:/try/db/Copy2.db
defaultlocation=C:\\try
clonedirectory=C:\\Users\\me\\AppData\\Roaming\\sqlitebrowser\\DB Browser for SQLite

    As mentioned above, I cannot import a saved settings file!
    So, I have no confidence -S will work and it does not.
    Can you confirm?
    Below is my settings file:

  23. sky5walk commented on Aug 9, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 9, 2021
    Author
    My settings file... 
    DBFileExtensions=SQLite database files (*.db *.sqlite *.sqlite3 *.db3)
appStyle=1
fontsize=12
language=en_US
maxRecentFiles=25
promptsqltabsinnewproject=true
recentFileList=C:/try/db/Copy.db, C:/try/db/Copy2.db
toolbarStyle=2
toolbarStyleBrowse=0
toolbarStyleEditCell=0
toolbarStyleSql=0
toolbarStyleStructure=2

[MainWindow]
geometry=@ByteArray(\x1\xd9\xd0\xcb\0\x3\0\0\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xfb\xc0\0\0\a\x80\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\xb2\xff\xff\xfcr\0\0\x3\xed\xff\xff\xfe\xd9\0\0\0\x2\x2\0\0\0\a\x80\0\0\0\0\xff\xff\xfb\xdf\0\0\a\x7f\xff\xff\xff\xff)
openTabs=browser query structure pragmas
windowState="@ByteArray(\0\0\0\xff\0\0\0\0\xfd\0\0\0\x2\0\0\0\0\0\0\x1\xb8\0\0\x3\xb7\xfc\x2\0\0\0\x2\xfb\0\0\0\x10\0\x64\0o\0\x63\0k\0\x45\0\x64\0i\0t\x1\0\0\0M\0\0\x1\xdc\0\0\0\xeb\0\xff\xff\xff\xfb\0\0\0\xe\0\x64\0o\0\x63\0k\0L\0o\0g\x1\0\0\x2\x32\0\0\x1\xd2\0\0\0z\0\xff\xff\xff\0\0\0\x1\0\0\x1\xe4\0\0\x3\xc9\xfc\x2\0\0\0\x1\xfc\0\0\0;\0\0\x3\xc9\0\0\0\0\0\xff\xff\xff\xfa\xff\xff\xff\xff\x2\0\0\0\x3\xfb\0\0\0\x10\0\x64\0o\0\x63\0k\0P\0l\0o\0t\0\0\0\0\0\xff\xff\xff\xff\0\0\0\xcd\0\xff\xff\xff\xfb\0\0\0\x14\0\x64\0o\0\x63\0k\0S\0\x63\0h\0\x65\0m\0\x61\0\0\0\0\0\xff\xff\xff\xff\0\0\0G\0\xff\xff\xff\xfb\0\0\0\x14\0\x64\0o\0\x63\0k\0R\0\x65\0m\0o\0t\0\x65\0\0\0\0\0\xff\xff\xff\xff\0\0\0\xc5\0\xff\xff\xff\0\0\x5\xbf\0\0\x3\xb7\0\0\0\x4\0\0\0\x4\0\0\0\b\0\0\0\b\xfc\0\0\0\x1\0\0\0\x2\0\0\0\x3\0\0\0\x12\0t\0o\0o\0l\0\x62\0\x61\0r\0\x44\0\x42\x1\0\0\0\0\xff\xff\xff\xff\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\x1c\0t\0o\0o\0l\0\x62\0\x61\0r\0P\0r\0o\0j\0\x65\0\x63\0t\x1\0\0\x2\x9f\xff\xff\xff\xff\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\x1c\0t\0o\0o\0l\0\x62\0\x61\0r\0\x45\0x\0t\0r\0\x61\0\x44\0\x42\x1\0\0\x3\xd2\xff\xff\xff\xff\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0)"

[PlotDock]
lineType=1
pointShape=4
splitterSize=@ByteArray(\0\0\0\xff\0\0\0\x1\0\0\0\x2\0\0\x1\x80\0\0\x2\xc8\x1\xff\xff\xff\xff\x1\0\0\0\x2\0)

[SQLLogDock]
Log=User

[SchemaDock]
dropEnquotedNames=true
dropQualifiedNames=false

[checkversion]
enabled=false

[databrowser]
auto_switch_mode=true
bin_bg_colour=@Variant(\0\0\0\x43\x1\xff\xff\x19\x19##--\0\0)
bin_fg_colour=@Variant(\0\0\0\x43\x1\xff\xffxxxxxx\0\0)
blob_text=BLOB
complete_threshold=0
editor_word_wrap=true
filter_delay=200
filter_escape=\\
font=Consolas
fontsize=12
image_preview=false
indent_compact=false
null_bg_colour=@Variant(\0\0\0\x43\x1\xff\xff\x19\x19##--\0\0)
null_fg_colour=@Variant(\0\0\0\x43\x1\xff\xffxxxxxx\0\0)
null_text=NULL
reg_bg_colour=@Variant(\0\0\0\x43\x1\xff\xff\x19\x19##--\0\0)
reg_fg_colour=@Variant(\0\0\0\x43\x1\xff\xff\xf0\xf0\xf0\xf0\xf0\xf0\0\0)
symbol_limit=5000

[db]
defaultencoding=UTF-8
defaultfieldtype=0
defaultlocation=C:\\try
defaultsqltext=
fontsize=14
foreignkeys=true
hideschemalinebreaks=true
prefetchsize=50000
savedefaultlocation=2

[editor]
auto_completion=true
close_button_on_tabs=true
error_indicators=true
font=Consolas
fontsize=14
horizontal_tiling=false
identifier_quotes=0
splitter1_sizes=@Invalid()
splitter2_sizes=@Invalid()
tabsize=2
upper_keywords=true
wrap_lines=0

[extensions]
disableregex=false
enable_load_extension=false
list=@Invalid()

[log]
fontsize=12

[proxy]
authentication=false
host=
password=
port=1
type=system
user=

[remote]
active=false
client_certificates=@Invalid()
clonedirectory=C:\\Users\\me\\AppData\\Roaming\\sqlitebrowser\\DB Browser for SQLite

[syntaxhighlighter]
background_bold=false
background_colour=#19232d
background_italic=false
background_underline=false
comment_bold=true
comment_colour=#00ff00
comment_italic=false
comment_underline=false
currentline_bold=false
currentline_colour=#253443
currentline_italic=false
currentline_underline=false
foreground_bold=false
foreground_colour=#f0f0f0
foreground_italic=false
foreground_underline=false
function_bold=true
function_colour=#ffff00
function_italic=false
function_underline=false
highlight_bold=false
highlight_colour=#4f94cd
highlight_italic=false
highlight_underline=false
identifier_bold=true
identifier_colour=#ff00ff
identifier_italic=false
identifier_underline=false
keyword_bold=true
keyword_colour=#5294e2
keyword_italic=false
keyword_underline=false
selected_bg_bold=false
selected_bg_colour=#0078d7
selected_bg_italic=false
selected_bg_underline=false
selected_fg_bold=false
selected_fg_colour=#ffffff
selected_fg_italic=false
selected_fg_underline=false
string_bold=true
string_colour=#c0c0c0
string_italic=false
string_underline=false
table_bold=true
table_colour=#00ffff
table_italic=false
table_underline=false

  24. chrisjlocke commented on Aug 9, 2021

    @chrisjlocke
    chrisjlocke
    on Aug 9, 2021
    Member

    The exported settings defines paths multiple ways

    What's your OS? Windows is pretty forgiving, so knows c:/directory/directory is actually c:\directory\directory. Similliarly, while you see c:\\users\\me\\ in the file, they're actually escaped, so its not an error.

  25. sky5walk commented on Aug 9, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 9, 2021
    Author

    Windows 10 latest.
    Sure, path characters are forgiving, but there is no reason to mix them in 1 application!
    It was a guess since I cannot import the settings file DB4S creates. :(

  26. chrisjlocke commented on Aug 9, 2021

    @chrisjlocke
    chrisjlocke
    on Aug 9, 2021
    Member

    but there is no reason to mix them in 1 application

    It's because there is no one developer creating code, and no one routine for writing paths, so when writing code, if a developer is on Linux, got his head in Linux, uses Linux every day, it's very hard to suddenly think, "Aah yes - Windows is odd and used backslashes".

  27. sky5walk commented on Aug 9, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 9, 2021
    Author

    Path characters are just another variable. If a developer gets this wrong in 2021, it is still a bug.
    There is nothing "odd" about Windows paths given it is the dominant desktop environment by an extremely large margin. Mobile and IOT ARM platforms are a different topic.

    Again, I just want to eliminate bugs such as reading self generated setup files and backward compatible project files.

  28. mgrojo
    added a commit that references this issue on Aug 9, 2021

    Settings: fix file check in "-S" option for Windows

    dc85571

  29. mgrojo commented on Aug 9, 2021

    @mgrojo
    mgrojo
    on Aug 9, 2021
    Member

    I think I've fixed the problem with the checking of the "ini" file in Windows. It seems related to line-endings, a typical problem for portability. Could someone confirm it on Windows?

    By the way, Windows accepts "/" as directory separator from the beginning. I wanted to confirm it, and I've discovered that even DOS did that. Why? In fact, they wanted to use "/" as UNIX, but it was already taken for the command options, when DOS lacked directories, so they used "\" instead. (Edited: I had to double the backslash in this comment, another problem that developers sometimes encounter with this character 😄)

  30. sky5walk commented on Aug 10, 2021

    @sky5walk
    sky5walk
    on Aug 10, 2021
    Author

    Ok, nightly v210810 can import a settings file. 👍
    But, it still crashes when trying to open my v210127 sqbpro file. 👎

  31. deepsidhu1313
    added a commit that references this issue on Oct 31, 2026

    Do not hang on broken project files and accept empty settings files

    9e1ea6b
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