Bug 416980 - When a file is in the "underline" focus state, Dolphin responds to some - but not all - keyboard commands on that file
Summary: When a file is in the "underline" focus state, Dolphin responds to some - but...
Status: CONFIRMED
Alias: None
Product: dolphin
Classification: Applications
Component: view-engine: general (show other bugs)
Version: 24.12.0
Platform: Ubuntu Linux
: NOR normal
Target Milestone: ---
Assignee: Dolphin Bug Assignee
URL:
Keywords: usability
: 497573 (view as bug list)
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2020-01-31 09:49 UTC by alex
Modified: 2025-01-19 11:48 UTC (History)
6 users (show)

See Also:
Latest Commit:
Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:


Attachments
Instead of acting as if the window never existed, it opens Selection Mode. (1.69 MB, video/x-matroska)
2024-12-28 09:03 UTC, Fernando M. Muniz
Details

Note You need to log in before you can comment on or make changes to this bug.
Description alex 2020-01-31 09:49:04 UTC
SUMMARY


STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. cd to a folder that contains e.g. pictures
2. select a first picture
3. ENTER -> picture opens in external app
4. close external app
5. observe that focus is still on selected pic. do not move focus (neither kn nor mouse) 
6. delete pic (DEL key)
7. observe that focus is changed to an underline mode. do not move the focus.
8. hit ENTER to open that pic
9. observe that ENTER does work (external app is opened)
10. close external app
11. observe there is still that odd focus (underline)
12. attempt to delete the file with keyboard DEL. 



OBSERVED RESULT

DEL does not delete the file, while ENTER can open the file

EXPECTED RESULT

DEL should delete the file
the focus should be inversed video on the next available file, rather than a thin underline.
 
SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS


Linux/KDE Plasma:???
(available in About System)
KDE Plasma Version: 5.12.9
KDE Frameworks Version: 
Qt Version: 5.9.5

(can't this be copy-pastable from that dialog???)


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Comment 1 Christoph Feck 2020-01-31 10:02:14 UTC
There is a difference between selection and keyboard focus. I doubt Dolphin should automatically select any item that has the focus.

> (can't this be copy-pastable from that dialog???)

It can, in recent versions.
Comment 2 alex 2020-01-31 10:13:24 UTC
The problem is that DEL does not delete the file, while ENTER can open the file (even with this funny focus thing).
The workaround is always to advance the focus with arrow down and then arrow up.

Can you confirm that at least the steps work for you?
Comment 3 Nate Graham 2020-01-31 13:56:13 UTC
I really don't like this implicit underline selection mode thingy. IMO it makes it quite unclear what the selection state actually is. Personally I think we should reserve it entirely for when nothing has ever been selected in the view, so that you know where selection *would* be if the view was focused. But in general unless the selection is explicitly dismissed by the user, I think something should always be selected following some kind of user-initiated action.
Comment 4 alex 2020-02-01 23:50:39 UTC
Workaround: before attempting to delete the file, one can press SPACEBAR to enable the normal focus highlight.
Comment 5 John Kizer 2024-12-28 06:54:58 UTC
*** Bug 497573 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Comment 6 Fernando M. Muniz 2024-12-28 09:03:15 UTC
(In reply to Nate Graham from comment #3)
> I really don't like this implicit underline selection mode thingy. IMO it
> makes it quite unclear what the selection state actually is. Personally I
> think we should reserve it entirely for when nothing has ever been selected
> in the view, so that you know where selection *would* be if the view was
> focused. But in general unless the selection is explicitly dismissed by the
> user, I think something should always be selected following some kind of
> user-initiated action.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1- Create a generic text.
2- Open it.
3- Close your text editor.
4- Try to delete the file with Delete key, or try to open with the Enter key.

OBSERVED RESULT
The file is not fully focused exactly as it was before the window opened, and Selection Mode is activated.

EXPECTED RESULT
The file should be fully focused exactly as it was before the window opened, as if nothing happened.
Comment 7 Fernando M. Muniz 2024-12-28 09:03:49 UTC
Created attachment 176921 [details]
Instead of acting as if the window never existed, it opens Selection Mode.
Comment 8 Fernando M. Muniz 2024-12-29 05:08:37 UTC
The issue doesn't happen when pressing the Enter Key to open the file.
Comment 9 postix 2025-01-19 11:48:00 UTC
See also https://discuss.kde.org/t/dolphin-file-appearance-after-double-clicking/28463/4

I've also stumbled over this and got pretty annoyed when F2 kept opening the selection mode instead of letting me rename the "apparently" selected file, until I figured out the root cause myself, from which point on I had to start working more carefully.