Unable to close split tabs

[BanksySan]

Describe the bug
Ctrl + \ splits the view horizontally and opens a duplicate tab in the new section.

There's no way to close the split views though, even closing the IDE doesn't fix it as it remembers your last layout and helpfully opens up in the state you left it.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Open project.
2. Split screen with Ctrl + \.

Expected behavior
There's a method to close views.

Screenshots

Desktop (please complete the following information):
Edition Windows 10 Home
Version 21H1
OS build 19043.1288
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3920.0

Additional context

IDE:

Version 2.0.0-beta.12
Date 2021-10-07T07:55:54.325Z
CLI Version 0.19.1 alpha [718bbbf2]

[CptHolzschnauz]

It's a fantastic feature.

A 'Close Tab' in the dropdown is needed. That's all. Delete is not needed. Who wants to delete a sketch this way so often that it needs his own dropdown entry?

Suggestion: Substitute "Delete" with "Close"

[per1234]

Who wants to delete a sketch this way so often that it needs his own dropdown entry?

You're right that it's not worth having this menu item for deleting a sketch. That's not the reason for the menu item's existence though. The sketch deletion capability is only about getting a little extra functionality out of an existing UI element. The reason for the menu item's existence is to allow deletion of secondary sketch files (shown as tabs in the IDE). Adding and removing secondary sketch tabs is a more common need for the IDE user as tabs are used to organize the sketch code.

The suggestion to add a "Close" item to the tab control menu is reasonable though. However, this is a departure from the current UI convention for closing non-required tabs (e.g., File > Advanced > Keyboard Shortcuts), which is the more visible and intuitive X icon to the right side of the tab text.

[CptHolzschnauz]

I don't get the UX concept here. When i press delete, a dialogue ask me if i want to delete the sketch (Move file to trash),
i can't imagine a working concept that is using this item regulary.

Anyway, a visible x icon would be also fine to close ordinary tabs or splitted windows, just something to close tabs is IMHO absolut neccesary.

I also don't see a departure from the current UI convention whith a 'Close Tab' in the dropdown of each sketch tab because these are user files, while the "system files" (eg Keyboard Shortcuts) have an X.

PS: I use normally Visual Studio Code with IMHO perfect handling of the tab/split view etc. theme.
Why reinventing the wheel when there is a solid UX role model used and shaped by million of users?
From my personal perspective, the smooth and lean handling of files with the seperated SplitViewButton on top right in VSC is a main reason for me to use this editor. I often work with three tabs on the same file so i don't have to scroll around, i add a long line to seperate code. These long lines are easy to spot with the minitab view on the right.
These two features and a good search function in the serial monitor would be fine for me...
Huch..i justed checked: Is there no search function in the serial monitor? I

[BanksySan]

As things are, any suggestion on how I get rid of the tabs I have open?

Keyboard shortcut

The suggestion to add a "Close" item to the tab control menu is reasonable though. However, this is a departure from the current UI convention for closing non-required tabs (e.g., File > Advances > Keyboard Shortcuts), which is the more visible X icon to the right side of the tab text.

The keyboard shortcuts have several entries for closing tabs, none of them work though, the tabs stubbornly stay where they are.

[per1234]

any suggestion on how I get rid of the tabs I have open?

You can reset the IDE by deleting this folder on Windows:

C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\arduino-ide

[skypanther]

I'm having the same issue as the original submitter, though I'm working on a Mac running Big Sur. Deleting a config file as per1234 suggests might work, but is hardly a good solution.

I'm not sure why you hide the X in the tab that VSCode usually provides. You've also removed the View: Split Editor Single command which closes all the split windows. You hide the View menu. I'm actually dumbfounded how many unnecessary changes from VSCode have been made to create this IDE.

[per1234]

Deleting a config file as per1234 suggests might work, but is hardly a good solution.

I apologize if I somehow gave the impression it was a solution. It is only a workaround. The Arduino IDE developers will close this issue once there is a solution.

unnecessary changes from VSCode

Arduino IDE 2.x is built on the open source Eclipse Theia framework, not VS Code. Since they are based on some of the same technologies and design philosophies, there are some resemblances to VS Code, but they are not the same. Arduino IDE 2.x is not a variant of VS Code. Arduino IDE 2.x is its own project and Arduino has its own vision for that project. If you want to participate in a positive manner in making that vision a reality, you are welcome. If you have some other vision, then feel free to make your own IDE.

[ch4bes]

I've found that I'm able to close unwanted split panes using the Explorer sidebar, where it shows "OPEN EDITORS". Each instance has an "X" on the right side that can be used to close it.

Would still be nice to have a way of closing the panes from the editor itself, in addition to a keyboard shortcut.

Edit: wanted to mention I'm using 2.0.0.-rc3

[per1234]

The bug is more serious since #791 because the split editor capability is now accessible via the primary UI: