Kconfig PROBLEMS and errors on MacOS Visual Studio Code not seen on Windows or Linux

[Burt]

Hi,

I get the following Kconfig OUTPUT messages after starting VS Code on MacOS:

Info - 4:48:18 PM] Server starting

[Info - 4:48:18 PM] workspaceFolders: [{'uri': 'file:///opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0', 'name': 'v2.5.0'}]

[Info - 4:48:18 PM] Creating context file:///opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0/nrf/applications/asset_tracker_v2/build

[Info - 4:48:18 PM] Main build: /opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0/nrf/applications/asset_tracker_v2/build

[Info - 4:48:18 PM] file:///opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0/nrf/applications/asset_tracker_v2/prj.conf

file:///opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0/nrf/applications/asset_tracker_v2/boards/nrf9160dk_nrf9160_ns.conf

file:///opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0/nrf/applications/asset_tracker_v2/boards/nrf9160dk_nrf9160_ns_0_14_0.conf

[Info - 4:48:18 PM] Parsing...

[Info - 4:48:18 PM] Reloading Zephyr python modules...

[Info - 4:48:18 PM] boards/arm/nrf9160dk_nrf9160/Kconfig.defconfig:40: error: couldn't parse 'default $(dt_chosen_reg_size_hex,$(DT_CHOSEN_Z_CODE_PARTITION))': macro expanded to blank string

[Info - 4:48:18 PM] Encountered a parsing error, closing 2 files

[Info - 4:48:18 PM] Status: False

And this shows up as a PROBLEM in that terminal tab. It is really ugly. Also, at the bottom right of VS Code, just left of the notification bell, there is a red "errors" field. I have never seen this on Windows or Linux. My MacOS version is Sequoia 15.0.1. I think I found a Devzone ticket from years ago about the same problem, but I don't recall seeing a solution.

Thanks,

Burt Silverman

ps, if I run python3 --version in a terminal window, it shows as 3.9.6.

[Øyvind]

Hi, 

Never seen this on my Macbook Air, also running Sequoia 15.0.1. Could you provide the support information from VS code?

Will the build system fail to build your application, i.e. asset tracker v2?

Kind regards,

Øyvind

[Burt]

I haven't seen any problems with building the application, but I am baffled by this error that doesn't show up on your similar system. I don't see my MacOS version in the Generate Support Information but here it is copied from my Mac System Settings:   Version 15.0.1 (24A348)

Thanks Oyvind, Burt

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For help and support, visit the Nordic DevZone at devzone.nordicsemi.com/.

{
"platform": {
"os": "darwin",
"osVersion": "Darwin Kernel Version 24.0.0: Tue Sep 24 23:36:30 PDT 2024; root:xnu-11215.1.12~1/RELEASE_X86_64",
"osKernel": "24.0.0",
"vscode": "1.94.2",
"electron": "30.5.1",
"node": "v20.16.0"
},
"system": {
"date": "2024-10-19T03:25:28.391Z",
"vscodeRoot": "/Applications/Visual Studio Code.app/Contents/Resources/app",
"nrfConnectForDesktopInstalled": true,
"vscodeUptime": "00:03:21",
"osUptime": "00:29:38",
"cpu": "Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3520M CPU @ 2.90GHz"
},
"workspace": {
"name": "v2.5.0",
"workspaceFile": null,
"folders": [
"/opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0"
]
},
"sdks": [
{
"version": "v2.7.0",
"path": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v2.7.0"
},
{
"version": "v2.5.0",
"path": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0"
},
{
"version": "v2.0.2",
"path": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v2.0.2"
},
{
"version": "v2.0.0",
"path": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v2.0.0"
},
{
"version": "v1.4.0",
"path": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v1.4.0"
}
],
"activeBuild": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0/nrf/applications/asset_tracker_v2/build",
"apps": [
{
"workspace": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0",
"uri": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0/nrf/applications/asset_tracker_v2",
"buildConfigurations": [
{
"id": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0/nrf/applications/asset_tracker_v2/build",
"name": "build",
"boardId": "nrf9160dk_nrf9160_ns",
"type": "Zephyr",
"isChild": false,
"isStale": false,
"taskBindings": {
"build": [],
"pristineBuild": [],
"flash": [],
"eraseAndFlash": []
}
}
]
}
],
"topdir": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0",
"workspaceState": "workspace-ready",
"toolchains": [
{
"version": "2.7.0",
"path": "/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/f8037e9b83"
},
{
"version": "2.5.0",
"path": "/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5"
},
{
"version": "2.0.2",
"path": "/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/v2.0.2"
},
{
"version": "2.0.0",
"path": "/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/v2.0.0"
},
{
"version": "1.4.0",
"path": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v1.4.0/toolchain"
}
],
"activeToolchain": {
"type": "installation",
"path": "/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5",
"version": "2.5.0",
"displayName": "nRF Connect SDK Toolchain v2.5.0"
},
"connectedDevices": [],
"deviceProvider": "nrfutil",
"tools": {
"/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/opt/zephyr-sdk/arm-zephyr-eabi/bin/arm-zephyr-eabi-gcc": "0.16.1",
"/Applications/SEGGER/JLink/JLinkExe": "7.88j",
"/usr/local/bin/nrfjprog": "10.23.2",
"/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/bin/cmake": "3.20.5",
"/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/bin/west": "1.1.0",
"/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/bin/python3": "3.9.6",
"/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/bin/ninja": "1.10.2",
"/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/bin/gperf": "3.1",
"/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/bin/dtc": "1.6.1",
"/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/bin/gn": "2122",
"/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/bin/git": "2.37.3",
"arm-gdbPath": "/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/opt/zephyr-sdk/arm-zephyr-eabi/bin/arm-zephyr-eabi-gdb",
"riscv-gdbPath": "not found"
},
"nrfutil": {
"nrfutil-device": {
"version": "2.5.0",
"binPath": "/Users/burt/.vscode/extensions/nordic-semiconductor.nrf-connect-2024.9.87-darwin-x64/platform/nrfutil/bin/nrfutil-device"
},
"nrfutil-toolchain-manager": {
"version": "0.14.4",
"binPath": "/Users/burt/.vscode/extensions/nordic-semiconductor.nrf-connect-2024.9.87-darwin-x64/platform/nrfutil/bin/nrfutil-toolchain-manager"
}
},
"environment": {
"westEnv": {
"GIT_EXEC_PATH": "/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/Cellar/git/2.37.3/libexec/git-core",
"HOME": "/Users/burt",
"PATH": "/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/bin:/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/usr/bin:/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/usr/local/bin:/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/opt/bin:/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/opt/nanopb/generator-bin:/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/opt/zephyr-sdk/aarch64-zephyr-elf/bin:/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/opt/zephyr-sdk/x86_64-zephyr-elf/bin:/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/opt/zephyr-sdk/arm-zephyr-eabi/bin:/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/Users/burt/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/sbin:/sbin:/Library/Frameworks/Mono.framework/Versions/Current/Commands:/opt/gnuarmemb/bin:/opt/metasploit-framework/bin:/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/Users/burt/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/sbin:/sbin:/Library/Frameworks/Mono.framework/Versions/Current/Commands:/opt/gnuarmemb/bin:/opt/metasploit-framework/bin",
"ZEPHYR_BASE": "/opt/nordic/ncs/v2.5.0/zephyr",
"ZEPHYR_TOOLCHAIN_VARIANT": "zephyr",
"ZEPHYR_SDK_INSTALL_DIR": "/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/20d68df7e5/opt/zephyr-sdk",
"USER": "burt"
},
"inherited": {
"ELECTRON_RUN_AS_NODE": "1",
"HOME": "/Users/burt",
"PATH": "/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/Users/burt/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/sbin:/sbin:/Library/Frameworks/Mono.framework/Versions/Current/Commands:/opt/gnuarmemb/bin:/opt/metasploit-framework/bin",
"USER": "burt"
}
},
"terminal": {
"defaultProfile": null
},
"config": {
"nordic-semiconductor.nrf-connect": {
"topdir": "${nrf-connect.sdk:2.5.0}",
"toolchain": {
"path": "${nrf-connect.toolchain:2.5.0}"
},
"ozonePath": "",
"applications": [
"${workspaceFolder}/nrf/applications/asset_tracker_v2"
],
"applicationOptions": {},
"kconfig": {
"interface": "kconfig"
},
"west": {
"env": {
"$base": "terminal"
}
},
"boardRoots": [],
"taskBindings": {},
"buildTerminal": {
"condensedProgress": true
},
"debugging": {
"flash": true,
"bindings": {},
"justMyCode": true
},
"activeAppFollowActiveEditor": true,
"deviceProvider": "nrfutil",
"flash": {
"softreset": false,
"erase": false,
"recover": false
},
"enableTelemetry": false,
"thirdpartyIntegration": {},
"toolchainManager": {
"indexURL": null,
"installDirectory": null
},
"nrfutil": {
"home": null
},
"defaultOpenAction": "ask",
"welcome": {
"showOnStartup": true
}
},
"nordic-semiconductor.nrf-terminal": {
"terminalMode": "character"
},
"marus25.cortex-debug": {
"armToolchainPrefix": "arm-zephyr-eabi",
"armToolchainPath": "/opt/nordic/ncs/toolchains/v2.0.2/opt/zephyr-sdk/arm-zephyr-eabi/bin/"
}
},
"extensions": {
"internal": {
"nordic-semiconductor.nrf-connect": {
"version": "2024.9.87",
"path": "/Users/burt/.vscode/extensions/nordic-semiconductor.nrf-connect-2024.9.87-darwin-x64",
"isActive": true
},
"nordic-semiconductor.nrf-terminal": {
"version": "2024.9.14",
"path": "/Users/burt/.vscode/extensions/nordic-semiconductor.nrf-terminal-2024.9.14",
"isActive": true
},
"nordic-semiconductor.nrf-devicetree": {
"version": "2024.9.26",
"path": "/Users/burt/.vscode/extensions/nordic-semiconductor.nrf-devicetree-2024.9.26",
"isActive": true
},
"nordic-semiconductor.nrf-kconfig": {
"version": "2024.9.20",
"path": "/Users/burt/.vscode/extensions/nordic-semiconductor.nrf-kconfig-2024.9.20",
"isActive": true
}
},
"external": {
"marus25.cortex-debug": null,
"ms-vscode.cpptools": "1.22.9",
"ms-vscode.js-debug": "1.94.0",
"ms-vscode.js-debug-companion": "1.1.3",
"ms-vscode.vscode-js-profile-table": "1.0.10",
"mcu-debug.peripheral-viewer": "1.4.6",
"trond-snekvik.gnu-mapfiles": "1.1.0",
"twxs.cmake": "0.0.17"
}
}
}

[Øyvind]

Burt said:

I haven't seen any problems with building the application, but I am baffled by this error that doesn't show up on your similar system

I've tried everything I could think of to reproduce, but to no awail. The settings are mostly the same, only the difference between m2 vs intel. 

And this shows up as a PROBLEM in that terminal tab. It is really ugly. Also, at the bottom right of VS Code, just left of the notification bell, there is a red "errors" field.

Nothing similar showing here. 

Burt said:

I haven't seen any problems with building the application

The only answer I have at the moment is that if it builds and works on your device, then it might not be severe.

[Burt]

Thanks, Oyvind. Have you tried with v2.5.0? I do not see the problem either when I use v2.7.0, but it appears with v2.5.0. One way to make it disappear with v2.5.0 is to go to the settings for the nrf-kconfig extension and change the python PATH to somewhere where there is no python executable. But I think that kills the nrf-kconfig extension completely.

Another problem I have with v2.5.0 is trying to use Guiconfig. It cannot find a usable init.tcl. Looks like a bug related to the fact that tcl-tk is now at version 8.6.15 and not 8.6.11_1? Can this be fixed?

Burt

[Øyvind]

Hi Burt, 

Burt said:

Another problem I have with v2.5.0 is trying to use Guiconfig. It cannot find a usable init.tcl. Looks like a bug related to the fact that tcl-tk is now at version 8.6.15 and not 8.6.11_1? Can this be fixed?

can you please register a new ticket for this issue?

Burt said:

Have you tried with v2.5.0? I do not see the problem either when I use v2.7.0, but it appears with v2.5.0.

I tried with NCS v2.5.2, as this was the closest I had installed on my mac. Could not reproduce. Do you get the same if you build in terminal using west build -b nrf9160dk_nrf9160_ns -d build ?

[Burt]

I tried v2.5.2 and I still see the error. Maybe it only shows on Intel based Mac. I see they python script where the error is printed, so maybe I will try putting a few extra prints into the log to see if it happens more than I realize even outside of VS Code, but I haven't looked closely enough at the log messages.

I will open a new ticket for the guiconfig issue.

Burt

[Burt]

Oh, wait, this has nothing to do with "build". This has to do with the nRF Kconfig extension. And it does not work (except with v2.7.0 SDK) on my Intel based Mac as it is described here https://github.com/NordicPlayground/vscode-nrf-kconfig where it is stated

Note: DeviceTree choice macros, like $(dt_chosen_reg_addr_hex,$(DT_CHOSEN_Z_CODE_PARTITION)) are not supported, and their configuration values will not be evaluated.

The problem is that they are being evaluated, and the evaluation fails, with every SDK level I have tried other than v2.7.0. And then I do not have the possibility of doing an nRF Kconfig GUI.

Oyvind, does one of your colleagues have an Intel based Mac to eliminate the possibility that there is some bad platform specific code in the nRF Kconfig extension? Otherwise I would like your developers to take a look.

I wish my team would migrate to v2.7.0 but the folks in charge have decided to stick with v2.5.0 for now. They are not crazy about merging:-(.

Thanks, Oyvind.

Burt

[Øyvind]

Burt, I finally got some answers to this issue. This issue is according to our SW team not platform specific, but is also an issue on other OS although giving a different error/failure. 

That said, none of us are able to reproduce the issue, but our SW team are aware of it and currently working on a fix to be released with NCS v2.8.0.

[Burt]

Thanks very much, Oyvind. That's nice to hear that the SW team plans to fix it in v2.8.0.

I think it has to do with the words I copied from documentation above:

Note: DeviceTree choice macros, like $(dt_chosen_reg_addr_hex,$(DT_CHOSEN_Z_CODE_PARTITION)) are not supported, and their configuration values will not be evaluated.

It appears to me that that sentence up to "are not supported," is accurate, but for some reason the configuration values were being evaluated (or an attempt was made), on my Mac. Or the attempt was made on all platforms, but the results were hidden from VS Code in all cases but my Mac. Anyway, I will go ahead and close the ticket.