Lazarus

Programming => Operating Systems => macOS / Mac OS X => Topic started by: Grahame Grieve on November 02, 2022, 10:37:24 am

Title: GetCurrentDir on MacOS
Post by: Grahame Grieve on November 02, 2022, 10:37:24 am

If I set the working directory to {folder} in the Run Parameters dialog, shouldn't that {folder} be what I get back from SysUtils.GetCurrentDir ?

Because GetCurrentDir is returning / not the folder I set. Is that expected?

Details:
* Mac M1 Max / Monterey 12.5
* Lazarus 2.2.5 (rev lazarus_2_2_4-3-g564e1e8244) FPC 3.2.2 aarch64-darwin-cocoa

Title: Re: GetCurrentDir on MacOS
Post by: Jonas Maebe on November 02, 2022, 08:32:55 pm

The system always forces the working directory of GUI applications to the root directory, probably to discourage you from trying to use it. You cannot/must not rely on it on macOS for GUI applications.

Title: Re: GetCurrentDir on MacOS
Post by: Grahame Grieve on November 02, 2022, 08:44:43 pm

oh. thanks. Where is that documented? Should the dialog box disable the working directory in that case?

Title: Re: GetCurrentDir on MacOS
Post by: Jonas Maebe on November 02, 2022, 08:48:55 pm

Quote from: Grahame Grieve on November 02, 2022, 08:44:43 pm

oh. thanks. Where is that documented?

It's more that Apple doesn't mention using the working directory as a correct way to access any files: https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/FileManagement/Conceptual/FileSystemProgrammingGuide/AccessingFilesandDirectories/AccessingFilesandDirectories.html

Quote

Should the dialog box disable the working directory in that case?

It should still work fine for command line programs.

Title: Re: GetCurrentDir on MacOS
Post by: Grahame Grieve on November 02, 2022, 09:30:57 pm

Lazarus can know which is which, right?

Title: Re: GetCurrentDir on MacOS
Post by: Jonas Maebe on November 02, 2022, 09:33:18 pm

I don't know if it keeps track of that in the project file. There's also nothing preventing you from creating a GUI application using the template of a command line application (with or without the LCL).

Title: Re: GetCurrentDir on MacOS
Post by: fredb on December 13, 2023, 10:49:39 am

This code to use application file path :

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1.   LocalDir := ExtractFilePath(Application.ExeName) + DirectorySeparator;
2.   {$IFDEF DARWIN}
3.   LocalDir := LeftStr(LocalDir, Pos('application_name.app', LocalDir)-1) + DirectorySeparator;
4.   {$ENDIF}
5.  

Replace 'application_name.app' by your own application name.

Title: Re: GetCurrentDir on MacOS
Post by: madref on December 16, 2023, 12:44:36 am

this works too:

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. ProgramDir := LeftStr (ExtractFilePath(Application.ExeName), Length(ExtractFilePath(Application.ExeName))-15);