IDE not recognising file type change from C to CPP

Ausierob · January 25, 2024, 10:56pm

HI, Had a problem with the IDE. Create a new sketch main file (xx.ino) and added other other files (xx.h and xx.c). Then complied. Got an error "class not recognise did I mean ..."! This confused me for a while, anyway long story short I noted that the compiler needs the source file to be a xx.cpp for classes etc. Yeah, ok that's correct. No problem, I changed the file extension from xx.c to xx.cpp and recompiled. Still the same problem? Gave the same error message pointing to a location in the source file classed "xx.c"! What?!? That file does exist in the folder! Now very confused, after much mucking around I found that if I started a new sketch with the same files (all renamed to cpp) the sketch compiled fine.
It seems the IDE does not reread the file types once in the sketch, even if they change?
My question, is there anyway to force the IDE to reread the file types in a sketch?

ptillisch · January 25, 2024, 11:16pm

Hi @Ausierob.

The Arduino developers are tracking this bug here:

github.com/arduino/arduino-cli

Previous file persists in build folder after renaming non-`.ino` sketch code file

opened 11:18PM - 19 Jun 16 UTC

digimeas

topic: code type: imperfection

### Describe the problem The previous file persists in the sketch build folde…r after a sketch code file with extension other than `.ino`/`.pde` is renamed. 🐛 This can result in spurious compilation errors or confusing bugs. Arduino CLI users can work around the bug by adding the `--clean` flag to their command, but the only workaround for Arduino IDE users is to manually clean the build folder. ### To reproduce ```text $ arduino-cli version arduino-cli.exe Version: git-snapshot Commit: a735ddfd Date: 2023-01-15T01:00:07Z $ arduino-cli sketch new /tmp/FooSketch $ echo "void asdf() {}" > /tmp/FooSketch/foo.cpp $ arduino-cli compile --fqbn arduino:avr:uno /tmp/FooSketch [...] $ mv /tmp/FooSketch/foo.cpp /tmp/FooSketch/bar.cpp $ arduino-cli compile --fqbn arduino:avr:uno /tmp/FooSketch C:\Users\per\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino\sketch-2405C4C9F90028537C79B0744BCE536E\sketch\foo.cpp.o (symbol from plugin): In function `asdf()': (.text+0x0): multiple definition of `asdf()' C:\Users\per\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino\sketch-2405C4C9F90028537C79B0744BCE536E\sketch\bar.cpp.o (symbol from plugin):(.text+0x0): first defined here collect2.exe: error: ld returned 1 exit status Used platform Version Path arduino:avr 1.8.6 C:\Users\per\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\hardware\avr\1.8.6 Error during build: exit status 1 $ ls "C:/Users/per/AppData/Local/Temp/arduino/sketch-2405C4C9F90028537C79B0744BCE536E/sketch" bar.cpp bar.cpp.d bar.cpp.o foo.cpp foo.cpp.d foo.cpp.o FooSketch.ino.cpp FooSketch.ino.cpp.d FooSketch.ino.cpp.o ``` 🐛 `foo.cpp` is still present in the build folder even though not present in the sketch. `foo.cpp` is compiled in addition to `bar.cpp` and the primary sketch file. ### Expected behavior Files are always removed from the sketch build folder when no longer present in the sketch. ### Arduino CLI version #### Original report Arduino IDE 1.6.9 #### Last verified with 0.34.1 ### Operating system - Linux - Windows ### Operating system version - Mint - 10 ### Additional context #### Workaround <a name="workaround-cli"></a> ##### Arduino CLI users Run an `arduino-cli compile` command with [the `--clean` flag](https://arduino.github.io/arduino-cli/dev/commands/arduino-cli_compile/#options). <a name="workaround-ide"></a> ##### Arduino IDE users 1. Examine the compiler error message. It will show the path of the temporary build folder. For example, in this error: ```text C:\Users\per\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino\sketches\7930E8409AED6D4F4A4782CF985194E9\sketch\foo.cpp.o (symbol from plugin): In function `asdf()': (.text+0x0): multiple definition of `asdf()' C:\Users\per\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino\sketches\7930E8409AED6D4F4A4782CF985194E9\sketch\bar.cpp.o (symbol from plugin):(.text+0x0): first defined here collect2.exe: error: ld returned 1 exit status exit status 1 Compilation error: exit status 1 ``` The temporary build folder is: ```text C:\Users\per\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino\sketches\7930E8409AED6D4F4A4782CF985194E9\sketch\ ``` 1. Delete the temporary build folder. #### Additional reports - https://github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/issues/1699 - https://github.com/arduino/arduino-cli/issues/2058 - https://github.com/arduino/arduino-ide/issues/2323 - https://github.com/arduino/arduino-ide/issues/1691 - https://github.com/arduino/arduino-ide/issues/1316 - https://github.com/arduino/arduino-ide/issues/970 - https://github.com/arduino/Arduino/issues/2072 - https://forum.arduino.cc/t/ide-and-compiler-clear/1077526 - https://forum.arduino.cc/t/changed-tab-name-in-sketch-still-linking-old-o-file/1046286 - https://forum.arduino.cc/t/weird-error-pointing-to-old-code/1113608 - https://forum.arduino.cc/t/ide2-bit-upset-need-help/1129513 - https://forum.arduino.cc/t/renamed-tabs-wont-go-away/1165338 - https://forum.arduino.cc/t/file-renaming-issue/1173234/6 - https://forum.arduino.cc/t/reorganizing-code-w-wire-h-library/1180211 #### Keywords - rename - header - .h - .cpp - .c - C++ ### Issue checklist - [X] I searched for previous reports in [the issue tracker](https://github.com/arduino/arduino-ide/issues?q=) - [X] I verified the problem still occurs when using the latest [nightly build](https://www.arduino.cc/en/software#nightly-builds) - [X] My report contains all necessary details

You can do it by deleting the temporary build folder where the zombie file is still stored . I'll provide instructions you can follow to do that:

Select File > Preferences... (or Arduino IDE > Settings... for macOS users) from the Arduino IDE menus.
The "Preferences" dialog will open.
Check the box next to "Show verbose output during: ☐ compilation" in the "Preferences" dialog.
Click the "OK" button.
Select Sketch > Verify/Compile from the Arduino IDE menus.
Wait for the compilation to finish.

Examine the contents of the black "Output" panel at the bottom of the Arduino IDE window. You will see the temporary sketch build folder in the compilation commands there.
For example, if you saw this line of output:

"C:\\Users\\per\\AppData\\Local\\Arduino15\\packages\\arduino\\tools\\avr-gcc\\7.3.0-atmel3.6.1-arduino7/bin/avr-size" -A "C:\\Users\\per\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\arduino\\sketches\\44903AA428159DEA0A2322AB6B3CD206/sketch_jan14a_copy_20240119071329.ino.elf"

You can extract the build folder path:

C:\\Users\\per\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\arduino\\sketches\\44903AA428159DEA0A2322AB6B3CD206

Delete the temporary build folder.
The folder may be hidden by default in your file manager and terminal.
Please be careful when deleting things from your computer. When in doubt, back up!

Now compile the sketch again. Arduino IDE regenerates the build folder if it is not present, so deleting the folder doesn't do any harm and will result in the zombie file being purged.

Ausierob · January 26, 2024, 7:58am

Thanks for the info!!

ptillisch · January 26, 2024, 11:07am

You are welcome. I'm glad if I was able to be of assistance.

Regards,
Per

system · July 24, 2024, 11:08am

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IDE not recognising file type change from C to CPP

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