Wrong User for fileDirectoryLatex

[lcnittl]

JabRef version

5.9 (latest release)

Operating system

Windows

Details on version and operating system

No response

Checked with the latest development build

• [X] I made a backup of my libraries before testing the latest development version.
• [X] I have tested the latest development version and the problem persists

Steps to reproduce the behaviour

JabRef locks onto the first user encounter in fileDirectoryLatex.

To reproduce:

1. Create bib file

2. on a HostA with a UserA set fileDirectoryLatex to C:\Path\A (via GUI Library > Library properties > LaTeX file directory)

   This will create the following comment:

   @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostA:C:\\Path\\A;}

   and shows in the GUI as:

   

3. Move/Copy the file to a HostB

4. on HostB with a UserB set fileDirectoryLatex to C:\Path\B

   Instead of the anticipated comments:

   @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostA:C:\\Path\\A;}
   
   @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserB-HostB:C:\\Path\\B;}

   the file will now contains:

   @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostA:C:\\Path\\A;}
   
   @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostB:C:\\Path\\B;}

   (note the user on HostB is set to UserA)

   Yet, the GUI shows:

   

5. Features like relative paths of Aux File (for TexGroup) do not work.

Temporary "fix" in the bib file:

The user can be manually corrected in the bib file (with a text editor):

 @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostA:C:\\Path\\A;}

 @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserB-HostB:C:\\Path\\B;}

Now, the TexGroup relative paths for Aux File works.

Problems encountered with this "fix":

However, the GUI shows an empty LaTeX file directory (Library > Library properties):

When adding C:\Path\B on HostB back via GUI, the bib file contains:

 @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostA:C:\\Path\\A;}

 @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostB:C:\\Path\\B;}

 @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserB-HostB:C:\\Path\\B;}

(note the additional entry for HostB, again with the wrong user UserA)

The GUI would now show the field filled:

Appendix

No response

[koppor]

This refs https://github.com/koppor/jabref/issues/572, because there should be a proper hover.

@lcnittl Can you show me, what on HostB is shown in the preferences as default owner?

[koppor]

After this is fixed, work should start at https://github.com/JabRef/jabref/issues/8344

[lcnittl]

@koppor Nice hint -- indeed the default owner on HostB was set to UserA (i.e. the OS username on HostA).

Some more testing, always starting from:

@Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostA:C:\\Path\\A;}

(where JabRef default owner = OS username = UserA)

Actions performed on HostB: (OS username = UserB)

1. JabRef default owner = UserA

   @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostA:C:\\Path\\A;}
   
   @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostB:C:\\Path\\B;}

2. JabRef default owner = UserB (= OS username )

   @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostA:C:\\Path\\A;}
   
   @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserB-HostB:C:\\Path\\B;}

   → this matches the desired config

3. JabRef default owner = UserOther

   @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserA-HostA:C:\\Path\\A;}
   
   @Comment{jabref-meta: fileDirectoryLatex-UserOther-HostB:C:\\Path\\B;}

So there seems to be a mix-up between OS username and JabRef default owner:

1. JabRef stores the "default owner" when writing the bib file, but
2. the OS username is expected when reading the file

[lcnittl]

Probably related: The fileDirectory property is also affected by this, although it uses "JabRef default owner" for both storing and reading (and completely ignores OS user).