Get the path of → ASD (app-specific dir) & → private data dir (internal storage)

[NelloMara]

Hi Anke,

thank you very much for sharing.

Unfortunately, I'm not an expert user, so I have some difficulties to understand all the applications that you extension could have.

So please, a question for you:

I'm trying to write a camera app, using the ProCam64 extension. Currently, my app can save a picture into the folder /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/MyFolder (so we are into the internal storage). But I can't read the same picture and load it as preview, maybe due to permissions (the app could read picture if it is stored into the ASD).

I read above that your getASD extension could store any kind of files in internal storage. So, could your extension help me in some way? If yes, how should I use it?

Thank you so much for your answer, kind regards.

[Anke]

@NelloMara

But I can't read the same picture and load it as preview, maybe due to permissions

Try to request READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (e.g. in the Screen.Initialize event).

[NelloMara]

@Anke

Try to request READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (e.g. in the Screen.Initialize event).

I just tried your suggestion. Unfortunately, it didn't work.

Because I have also the Camera permission to request, I tried to write a "do" cycle, but by requesting the first permission in the Screen.Initialize event, and the other ones in the Screen.PermissionGranted event.

If Camera permission is requested in the Screen.Initialize, the app request also the second permission (READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE), and it freezes when I allow it.

If READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE is requested in the Screen.Initialize, the app starts but without asking for any permission. It seems like if READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE is not allowed and so the Start.PermissionGranted event is not called. Obviously the issue of load the picture is not solved.

However, maybe I will open a new topic, I think we are off topic here, isn't so?

Thank you for answering me.

[Anke]

Post the aia (or a small test aia). It shouldn't be a big deal to solve this problem...

[NelloMara]

@Anke

Post the aia (or a small test aia).

FolderCamera (1).aia (36.7 KB)

My device is a Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, with Android 11.

[Anke]

Try this:

[NelloMara]

Many thanks for you effort Anke. But also this one is not working.

The first time I open the app, it asks for Camera permission. The second time, for the storage permission. Then, when I take a picture, it doesn't save it.

FolderCameraAnke.aia (41.4 KB)

[Anke]

Always show your blocks as well.

Remove the space after "FOTO- ":

[Anke]

... and always debug your blocks. Then you would most likely have noticed this error yourself.

[NelloMara]

@Anke

... and always debug your blocks

I checked several times the blocks, but I was too focused on the blocks to be equal to your suggestion, not on the strings, and I didn't noticed that mistake. Sorry Anke, I really apologize for this.

However, now the app saves the pictures, but the issue about the permissions is unchanged. As you suggested, is there some tools for debugging?

[Anke]

@NelloMara

As you suggested, is there some tools for debugging?

See here (point 4):

How to ask a question (open new topic)

Before you ask a question / open a new topic please take care of the following points: The forum was previously searched for similar topics / issues. Give a precise (detailed) description of the issue / bug, the goal. Show the (relevant) blocks (images, screenshots of blocks in high quality). Debug your blocks (connect to Companion and right mouse click: → Do it). Name the Android / iOS version running on your (test) device. Do not open multiple threads on the same topic. If you haven't al…

[Anke]

@NelloMara

However, now the app saves the pictures, but the issue about the permissions is unchanged.

[Taifun]

@NelloMara

I checked several times the blocks

use Do it to debug your blocks, see also tip 4 here App Inventor: How to Learn | Pura Vida Apps
see also Live Development, Testing, and Debugging Tools
Taifun

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

[rodrigomellogarcia]

Do files uploaded in the Media panel in AI (example below) go to the ASD? If so, should I be able to access them through the ASD Path? For example, if I wanted the path to the model.json file uploaded in Media, would it be /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/<app_package>/files/model.json?

(I'm asking this because as of now I cant access them through this path, Java fires a java.nio.file.NoSuchFileException exception).

[The_K_Studio]

No, files from Assets don't go to ASD.

You need to first copy files from assets to ASD then you can access them from path of that file.

You can use Copy Assets files block from ASD Downloader extension.

[FREE] ASD Downloader Extension - Download and manage files in ASD

Short description ASD Downloader extension to download files in App Specific Directory (ASD) without READ or WRITE PERMISSION. Since ASD is always accessible to READ and WRITE files within the app it does not requires READ and WRITE PERMISSION. Nowadays due to new restrictions in higher Android versions it is difficult to manage files without READ and WRITE PERMISSIONS where ASD is very useful to store downloaded files and manage them without any permission. This extension allows you download…

[rodrigomellogarcia]

@The_K_Studio great extension! Worked wonders, thank you so much.
Is this extension by any chance open source?

[rodrigomellogarcia]

@Anke is your extension open source?

[Anke]

@rodrigomellogarcia

Do files uploaded in the Media panel in AI (example below) go to the ASD?

No, only with Companion. With the compiled app (APK, AAB) files in the assets are in the internal storage. File in the ASD are in the external stoarge.

See also:

Some basics on Android storage system

From an Android point of view there are an → Internal Storage and an → External Storage . 1. Internal Storage The Internal Storage can only be accessed with a rooted device. 1.1 The app package is saved in /data/data/<packageName>/ In order to be able to debug your app, AI2 saves the assets for → Companion on devices with Android ≥ 10 (API ≥ 29): /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/edu.mit.appinventor.aicompanion3/files/assets/ Android < 10 : /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/edu.mit…

[dpcons]

Everytime I try to import this extension, I get an error saying the DatePicker control can't be found and builds fail. If I remove the extension, the app works. Weird.
I AM using the date picker in my app.

[Anke]

@dpcons

Everytime I try to import this extension, I get an error saying the DatePicker control can't be found and builds fail.

Try this simple app:
GetASD_DatePicker.aia (6.2 KB)

(No issues here.)