https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=488641
Bug ID: 488641
Summary: Incorrect warning when saving file modified on disk
under a new name
Classification: Applications
Product: kate
Version: unspecified
Platform: Other
OS: Linux
Status: REPORTED
Severity: normal
Priority: NOR
Component: general
Assignee: kwrite-bugs-n...@kde.org
Reporter: spikespie...@gmx.de
Target Milestone: ---
SUMMARY
When a file is modified on disk while it is open in Kate, one of the ways to
mitigate data loss is to save the old version under a new name using the "Save
As..." function (File > Save as, or CTRL-SHIFT-S). However, Kate displays a
misleading warning if the user tries to do this.
STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. (assuming no directory test exists) mkdir test; cd test; touch test1; kate
test1
2. echo 1 >> test 1
3. A banner pops up in kate, informing the user that the file was modified on
disk.
4. File > Save As, choose test2 as the new name.
OBSERVED RESULT
A warning dialog opens:
"Possible data loss – Kate
The file /home/<username>/test/test2 was modified on disk.
Do you really want to save this file? Both your open file and the file on disk
were changed. There could be some data lost."
The first part is a straight up untruth - ~/test/test2 was not modified on
disk; it doesn't even exist yet.
The second part is confusing. At first, I thought it was an untruth as well,
but it is true - if the modified file was saved under a different name and the
user made modifications as well, the original version of the first file would
be lost. (But Kate allows undo even after saving, so at least as far back as
the undo stack goes, the data can still be recovered after saving).
EXPECTED RESULT
The most important is that Kate does not lie about the new file I'm saving to
being modified on disk. This is very confusing.
As more of a wishlist item, the second part of the message should be rewritten
to make it clearer what is actually going on, and what happens if the user
saves.
One option would be a message similar to
"The original file .../test1 was modified on disk by another program.
If you save now, the version you edited and the modifications made by the
external program are both safe. You will lose access to the original,
unmodified version of the file".
Obviously, the phrasing could be improved and tightened
Alternatively, get rid of the message and trust that the user knows the
original version would be lost. I think that's how most editors do "Save as" in
these circumstances; but having Kate be extra clear about potential data loss
is not a bad idea as long as it's clear what data are lost.
SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
This happens on both Kubuntu 24.04 with Kate 23.08.05 and current Neon
Developer with Kate 24.07.70.
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