Bug 427924

Summary:	GNU Octave Directory Browser Hangs
Product:	[Frameworks and Libraries] frameworks-kio	Reporter:	Ian Proudler <i.proudler>
Component:	Open/save dialogs	Assignee:	KIO Bugs <kio-bugs-null>
Status:	REPORTED ---
Severity:	normal	CC:	bugseforuns, kdelibs-bugs-null
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	5.68.0
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Ubuntu
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:
Attachments:	Screenshot of browser window

Description Ian Proudler 2020-10-18 13:33:33 UTC

SUMMARY
The GNU Octave Directory Browser window, on first use, hangs for many tens of seconds then disappears. Subsequently it works OK.  


STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Boot system
2. Start GNU Octave.
3. Click on folder icon to the right of the "Current Directory" text field.

OBSERVED RESULT
The windows hangs for many tens of seconds then disappears. Clicking on "Cancel" button or the window 'X' has no effect. 

After the Directory Browser window has disappeared, clicking on the folder icon again produces the correct result.

Quitting and restarting Octave produces a similar effect except now, after the long pause, the Directory Browser window does not disappear but instead shows the content of the startup directory.
  

EXPECTED RESULT
Window displays the content of the directory specified by the Octave startup settings.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Linux/KDE Plasma:
(available in About System)
KDE Plasma Version:  plasmashell 5.18.5
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.68.0
Qt Version: 5.12.8

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Kubuntu 20.04.1

The "Current Directory" text field is a menu and previously used directories can be selected. This works as expected.

I have an Xubuntu 20.04.1 system with the same Octave version. This works as expected.

Comment 1 Christoph Feck 2020-11-05 05:29:00 UTC

Could you please add a screen shot of this directory browser? I wasn't aware that Octave used KDE components.

Comment 2 Ian Proudler 2020-11-05 10:15:46 UTC

 Christoph,

 Screenshot attached.

 Note I also raised the issue with the Octave people. This is a known issue:

 _______________________________________________
 Update of bug #59311 (project octave):

                   Status:                    None => Duplicate              
              Open/Closed:                    Open => Closed                 
                  Summary: Octave Directory Browser window hangs for many tens
 of seconds => Octave on Linux with KDE: Directory Browser window hangs for
 many tens of seconds

     _______________________________________________________

 Follow-up Comment #1:

 This is a duplicate of bug #54607.

 As workaround, in the "General" tab of the GUI preferences there is an option
 "Use native file dialogs" to uncheck in your case.

     _______________________________________________________

 Reply to this item at:

   <https://savannah.gnu.org/bugs/?59311>

 _______________________________________________

 Thanks,

 Ian

Comment 3 Patrick Silva 2020-11-19 15:44:32 UTC

Still no screenshot.

Comment 4 Ian Proudler 2020-11-19 16:01:56 UTC

Created attachment 133463 [details]
Screenshot of browser window

Comment 5 Ian Proudler 2020-11-19 16:02:20 UTC

Sorry about that I thought I had uploaded it.

Comment 6 Patrick Silva 2020-11-19 16:34:20 UTC

Thank you Ian.

Comment 7 Christoph Feck 2020-11-19 23:24:17 UTC

It is a bit unclear if Octave developers confirmed the issue is in Octave or in KIO/kdialog. From what I understand, they are using QProcess to launch an external kdialog application, and have issues with the process communication in the case KIO itself spawns new processes for remote access.

https://savannah.gnu.org/bugs/?54607

Keeping open for investigation.