Issue: Fail to read file from asset in APK. OK from Companion

[Jacques_Dumarest]

I am facing an issue reading a csv file from asset.
I have a csv file in asset, and when I read it, it works when using the companion, but fails: File1.GotText is not executed when apk is run.

This bug happens only if location sensor is used in the project (otherwise it is working fine)

Looks like, sensor permission request for sensor is asked first, while giving permission, read is blocked, when file access permission is asked and granted, read request has been lost and is not performed.

test.csv (15 Bytes)
Test.aia (2.2 KB)

[ChrisWard]

As you say, It's likely the case that the App has not finished initializing before it tries to read the file. Try this:

....adjust the time interval until it works reliably.

[Jacques_Dumarest]

Thanks for your help and feedback. I made some test, and this seems to be working, but it is difficult to define the proper timing, and it looks more like a workaround then a real solution. I found some exchan ge on this topic such s: Potential Permissions Problems but it is not very clear for me:

• If the app inventor application itself needs to ask for permission, or if it is directly handled by app inventor implementation?
• How can we make sure the permission has been granted if it is handled by App inventor?
• How to check multiple permission at the initialization?

What is the best way to handle these permissions?

Thanks a lot to the App Inventor community

[Jacques_Dumarest]

One more aspect not clear for is if we need to permission to read file in the asset: //filename ? According to: http://appinventor.mit.edu.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/blogs/evan/2020/08/08/file-path-updates-android-10 this is not required, but looks like Application is asking automatically for it?

[Taifun]

@Jacques_Dumarest

if we need to permission to read file in the asset: //filename ? According to: File Path Updates Starting with Android 10 this is not required, but looks like Application is asking automatically for it?

reading from the assets does not need permission, howewer the file component unfortunately asks for it... as workaround you can use this extension

EFile : Only asks for permissions when required

this most probably also fixes your other issue...

Taifun

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Trying to push the limits! Snippets, Tutorials and Extensions from Pura Vida Apps by Taifun.

[Anke]

@Jacques_Dumarest

One more aspect not clear for is if we need to permission to read file in the asset: //filename ?

No, this a (new) bug. → @ewpatton
The File component has never (before) required READ permission when reading from the assets.

Regarding the location permission see here:

Potential Permissions Problems

You should move it where it is first needed. The LocationSensor component requests permission due to its Enabled property being set to true. If you change it to false in the designer it won’t prompt on startup. Then you can enable it in the blocks at the appropriate time and it will request permission at that point. Properties of components are set before Screen1.Initialize is called, which is why you see it in the observed order.

[Anke]

Try this one: → Test2.aia (20.0 KB)
as @Taifun suggested (until the bug is fixed).

[Jacques_Dumarest]

Thanks a lot Anke and Taifun. EFile is working fine for me