`shared_preferences` package doesn't persist data on Linux

[needlesslygrim]

shared_preferences doesn't seem to be persisting the download directory setting on Linux. The package page on pub.dev suggests it shouldn't be used for storing critical data, so I guess it's not meant to be very reliable? Also, a minor issue is that using it means that settings would be stored in the wrong place on Linux, XDG_DATA_HOME instead of XDG_CONFIG_HOME as the 'XDG Base Directory Specification' dictates (https://specifications.freedesktop.org/basedir-spec/basedir-spec-latest.html).

Since PPM only seems to support desktop platforms at the moment ( although I could be wrong about this ), I could write a wrapper which uses the correct directory, based on the Rust directories crate, which I've already written a Kotlin version of. If PPM does support mobile, then I would probably suggest just manually storing stuff in the write place on Linux, and using shared_preferences ( or some alternative ) on other platforms.

[micfong-z]

The download directory is intentionally set to be non-persistent due to some issues with it on macOS.

More specifically, for some reason macOS would revoke the permission to write files to the directory after the app restarts. The permission (seems to be) granted only if the user explicitly chooses a directory using the system file dialog. The user has to re-choose this for every session.

But yes I do think this should be saved. I just have to work out what's going on inside macOS...

[micfong-z]

PPM only seems to support desktop platforms at the moment

Although I haven't tested, I would imagine that most of this app should compile except for some file-handling related stuff. The UI and network request libraries all support mobile devices if I recall correctly.

Supporting Android should be doable, but I'm a bit concerned on the iPadOS side. Perhaps we should try to do one at the time, so starting with Android would be good ;)

[needlesslygrim]

More specifically, for some reason macOS would revoke the permission to write files to the directory after the app restarts.

No words.

In that case, I guess it should be possible to just only make it non-persistent on macOS? The library putting stuff in the wrong place on Linux is still a problem, but I might be able to fix that by forking it or something...

Although I haven't tested, I would imagine that most of this app should compile except for some file-handling related stuff. The UI and network request libraries all support mobile devices if I recall correctly.

Hmm well that's good. After all my exams are finished I'll look at seeing how difficult it would be to make it work on Android, shouldn't be that bad :)

[micfong-z]

I guess it should be possible to just only make it non-persistent on macOS?

This is definitely doable, most easily by resetting this piece of SharedPreference data on launch on macOS.

The library putting stuff in the wrong place on Linux is still a problem

Just curious, is misplacing data at XDG_DATA_HOME a performance issue or a perfectionism issue o_O

[needlesslygrim]

Just curious, is misplacing data at XDG_DATA_HOME a performance issue or a perfectionism issue o_O

It's just perfectionism yes, although it is against the XDG standard, so at least it's correct pedantry.

...most importantly, however, Linux people ( including me ) will be Angry, so it's worth fixing :^).