HOWTO: Get Application Specific Directory -ASD (where one exists) without Extensions

[TIMAI2]

@Anke

But if something is not helpful or wrong, then I reserve the right to state it clearly, without further ado.

Ditto....

[Anke]

Here is a simple way to do it for all Android versions and without any component and permission:

getASD.aia (2.9 KB)

[TIMAI2]

Yes, that was my first approach, but it requires you to open up an aia and look at project.properties, or look at your project details in the program, in order to enter the required information, which is then hardcoded. My approach is about being more dynamic.

Not sure what your issue is about components or permissions....?

[Anke]

@Kumaraswamy

is the path same for all devices (and all android versions)?

Yes, check my aia.

[Anke]

@TIMAI2

but it requires you to open up an aia and look at project.properties, or look at your project details in the program, in order to enter the required information

I think if you are working on a project you probably know the name of your project as well as your email address. So what's the problem?

@TIMAI2

Not sure what your issue is about components or permissions....?

I always try to use as few components as possible. And it is even more important for me (and especially my users) to avoid dangerous permissions. My users (like myself) don't like permissions at all.

[ABG]

(thread added to FAQ)

FAQ Section: Files

Introductory AI2 File Component Help Docs Page Android Scoped File System Overview - Anke Base64 File to Base64 String Extension - Juan Antonio File to Base64 With Javascript - JuanAntonio Android11+ How to access non-media & media files on Android 11+ - @Anke Other File Path Updates Starting with Android 10 (Evan's Blog) AndExplorer File Picker Sample Asynchronous File Mover/Copier Extension - Taifun Create folder and files on first launch (avoiding error 2101) Directory Explorer E…

[TIMAI2]

@Anke

So what's the problem?

You missed out the hardcoded part....

@Anke

And it is even more important for me (and especially my users) to avoid dangerous permissions.

How will you read or write anything from the ASD if you don't have those permissions in place ?

[Anke]

@TIMAI2

You missed out the hardcoded part

No, this is no problem in this case.

@TIMAI2

How will you read or write anything from the ASD if you don't have those permissions in place ?

As I said several times, the ASD does NOT require any permissions according to Google (≥ API 19).

[TIMAI2]

It is easy enough to drop the File component, it was only there to remove an empty file, not taking up any space

[Patryk_F]

The extensions-free solution is great for people looking to publish apps to the gallery. As we know, extensions are prohibited there.

[Anke]

@Patryk_F

The extensions-free solution is great for people looking to publish apps to the gallery.

Yes, but as I said the approach from @TIMAI2 doesn't work for API<29.

[Taifun]

@Anke

@TIMAI2

How will you read or write anything from the ASD if you don't have those permissions in place ?

As I said several times, the ASD does NOT require any permissions according to Google (≥ API 19).

the solutions, which are provided by extensions (be it @Anke's extension or one of the file extensions) do not need any permissions to read or write files from/to the ASD - Application Specific Directory

to have a "solution" which needs permission to only get the path to the ASD seems not very helpful...
and we are not only talking about the File.Delete method, but also the Canvas.SaveAs method...

@Anke

the approach from @TIMAI2 doesn't work for API<29.

exactly... the subject of the discussion is "Get ASD without Extensions" and as @Anke already explained, you do not get the ASD for devices < Android 10, you get the root directory...

@TIMAI2

Not sure what your issue is about components or permissions....?

usually users try to write an app with as less permissions required as necessary

Taifun

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

[Patryk_F]

But if you are creating an application for school or to be placed in a gallery, nobody cares about the lack of permissions, the application is only supposed to work. If someone is creating an application for Google Play, it is of course recommended to have as few permissions as possible.

[Anke]

@Patryk_F

But if you are creating an application for school or to be placed in a gallery, nobody cares about the lack of permissions, the application is only supposed to work.

Yes, maybe. But again: the main problem here is, as I already said, that it doesn't work for devices with Android < 10.

[Taifun]

@Anke

But again: the main problem here is, as I already said, that it doesn't work for devices with Android < 10.

@TIMAI2 might want to edit the subject of this thread and add "only for devices >= Android 10"
Taifun

[ABG]

I linked to this thread from the Files FAQ because of the rich vein of opinions in it. The different considerations are valuable.

[patel]

@TIMAI2

Use these blocks...

I did not understand Replace block, can you explain me ?

[TIMAI2]

@patel

I did not understand Replace block, can you explain me ?

It removes the filename, to return the ASD or ROOT DIRECTORY only

[patel]

my result is a file path, not a folder
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/edu.mit.appinventor.aicompanion3/files.png

[TIMAI2]

@patel

my result is a file path, not a folder

Did you set the local variable "file" to "files.png" ?

replacing "dummy.jpg"