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#6 No initial prompt to user if circuits directory missing
Problem Description
If the 'circuits' directory that is found in the installation directory of the program is missing or renamed, when the user starts the program, they are greeted with a blank circuit mislabeled the LRC circuit. Any of the example circuits they can pick from the Circuits menu do not load, and does not give a missing file prompt unless they first add their own circuit element(s) and then try to load a sample circuit.
Steps to reproduce the problem
- Go to the installation directory of the CircuitMod program. For example on my Windows test system it was 'C:\Program Files (x86)\CircuitMod'
- Rename the circuits folder to another name. (Simulates the case where installation could be corrupted) You might be prompted to have administrator rights to be able to rename on Windows, if so click continue.
- Start CircuitMod.exe
- Upon startup you should notice that the default LRC circuit is not loaded but the label is.
- Select another sample circuit from the Circuit menu. The label is changed to reflect the selected circuit but the circuit area remains blank. In the picture below I select the Resistor circuit from Circuits>Basics>Resistors.
- Next add any circuit element(s) (like a wire to the circuit area)
- Select another circuit from the Circuit menu.
- You should now notice that there is a message saying that the program is unable to read the circuit's text file.
Suggested Fix
In order to fix this issue of a delayed notification to the user that not all of the installation files might be present, upon start up, the program could check if the path to the circuit folder exists. If so, continue as normal, however if not a message should be displayed to the user indicating the files for the sample circuits are missing. It should also let them know that other functionality such as creating their own circuits is still available. Finally, if the circuit files are missing it could be wise to also disable the corresponding menu item so that the user can not click them. This would prevent issues were some of the actual circuit text files were missing or renamed.
Environment
Primary test environment
CircuitMod
Build Date: 2013-07-30
Java 1.7.0_65
Windows 8 x86-64
Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro (Intel Core i7-4510U)
Secondary test environment
CircuitMod
Build Date: 2013-07-30
Java 1.7.0_65
Mac OS X 10.9.5 (13F34)
Macbook Pro 13" (Intel Core i5-2415M)
Other Info
Severity: Low
Reproducible: Yes. (Always)
Affected Platforms: Windows 8, Mac OS X 10.9.5
the problem is due to inexistence of folder
C:\Program Files\CircuitMOD\circuits
or
C:\Program Files (x86)\CircuitMOD\circuits
This folder contain the preset circuit that
appear in Circuit Menu.
Try uninstall and install again. (Recommended)
NOTE: You have 2 choices:
1) After a corrupted install, Delete the folder
C:\Program Files\CircuitMOD
or
C:\Program Files (x86)\CircuitMOD
and install again over (nothing can happen if you re-install over)
2) Copy the circuits folder in the path:
C:\Program Files\CircuitMOD\circuits
or
C:\Program Files (x86)\CircuitMOD\circuits
and execute again.