1.6.12 Path+Sketch length error / Could not create sketch / Failed to open sketch / Only showing include files

[degerrit]

Not sure why this issue appeared (maybe I moved the Arduino sketch folder - I hadn't used my Arduino in a few months), but my Arduino IDE on Windows is now having issues with Sketches that have long path+filenames. I created these in Arduino IDE, so previously I had no issues with this.

Other programs, i.e. Wordpad, can open the .ino files without any problems, so it's not an OS limitation.

Examples:
D:\Blink_undDet-D8_Water-A0_Temp-D2_X10RF-D4_LDR-A1\Blink_undDet-D8_Water-A0_Temp-D2_X10RF-D4_LDR-A1.ino
105 chars - result: opens OK

D:\Blink_undDet-D8_Water-A0_Temp-D2_X10RF-D4_LDR-A1_Dist12_13_8s_s\Blink_undDet-D8_Water-A0_Temp-D2_X10RF-D4_LDR-A1_Dist12_13_8s_s.ino
135 chars - result: Not OK, "Could not create sketch"

Interestingly, the first sketch I opened after upgrading to 1.6.12 had some include files with short filenames (x10rf.h, x10rf.cpp) - the result here is NO ERROR MESSAGE, but the IDE opening only the include files, and not the .ino file.

A full downgrade back to 1.6.9 (uninstall/reinstall) fixes the issue.

Default path - looks OK:

Wordpad - no issue:

The long path

Long (>128 character?) .INO sketch file that contains include files - IDE only shows the short include files, NO ERROR message is given

Short test sketch with no includes, but long path - ERROR

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Same sketch, renamed / shortened path and Sketch name - opens OK

[degerrit]

Updated my original bug, a downgrade to 1.6.9 via full uninstall/reinstall resolves the problem.
Previously my downgrade to 1.6.9 that didn't resolve the problem involved swapping the Arduino folder for a backed-up folder, not a full uninstall/reinstall. Very strange!

[degerrit]

OK, 1.6.11 also does not have this problem. Maybe it's the editor code refactoring in 1.6.12

[cmaglie]

Thanks for the bug report.

In this case is not the full path length the problem, but only the sketch name length.

The sketch name is limited to 63 chars and this limit has always been there but, before 1.6.12, the check was made only on the sketch name without the .ino extension. After 1.6.12 this check has been changed to test the full file name (with .ino extension). So a sketch that previously fitted exactly the 63 chars limit after 1.6.12 it will suddenly became invalid because the .ino extension will made it of 64+4 -> 67.

Now I've fixed it by making the check again on the sketch name. Of course this bug affects only sketch with very long names (nearing 63 chars).

[Lizews2006]

Not sure why this issue appeared (maybe I moved the Arduino sketch folder - I hadn't used my Arduino in a few months), but my Arduino IDE on Windows is now having issues with Sketches that have long path+filenames. I created these in Arduino IDE, so previously I had no issues with this.

Other programs, i.e. Wordpad, can open the .ino files without any problems, so it's not an OS limitation.

Examples:
D:\Blink_undDet-D8_Water-A0_Temp-D2_X10RF-D4_LDR-A1\Blink_undDet-D8_Water-A0_Temp-D2_X10RF-D4_LDR-A1.ino
105 chars - result: opens OK

D:\Blink_undDet-D8_Water-A0_Temp-D2_X10RF-D4_LDR-A1_Dist12_13_8s_s\Blink_undDet-D8_Water-A0_Temp-D2_X10RF-D4_LDR-A1_Dist12_13_8s_s.ino
135 chars - result: Not OK, "Could not create sketch"

Interestingly, the first sketch I opened after upgrading to 1.6.12 had some include files with short filenames (x10rf.h, x10rf.cpp) - the result here is NO ERROR MESSAGE, but the IDE opening only the include files, and not the .ino file.

A full downgrade back to 1.6.9 (uninstall/reinstall) fixes the issue.

Default path - looks OK:

Wordpad - no issue:

The long path

Long (>128 character?) .INO sketch file that contains include files - IDE only shows the short include files, NO ERROR message is given

Short test sketch with no includes, but long path - ERROR

Same sketch, renamed / shortened path and Sketch name - opens OK

Same here. If anyone found a way, pls email me: lizews2006@gmail.com
You see, I'm actually a student and I need to finish the code but I cannot open it. The competition is in one week time, so pls help me... Thanks!

[cmaglie]

@Lizews2006 thanks for the bug report but this issue should be solved with IDE 1.8.10, if not please open another issue and do not comment on already closed issues.

Anyway, if you're in a hurry, you may consider renaming the .ino file and the containing folder to a shorter name for a quick workaround.