Preferences are not stored

[mwip]

JabRef version 5.0 / 5.1--2020-08-19--9adfd5b on Ubuntu 20.04

Linux 5.4.0-42-generic amd64
Java 14.0.2

• Mandatory: I have tested the latest development version from http://builds.jabref.org/master/ and the problem persists

Preferences that I make in the Options -> Preferences are not stored at all. Namely, I want to change the default Key pattern to [auth:lower][year][veryshorttitle:lower]. When I click save and open the Preferences again immediately, I see the default key pattern again.

I installed both the stable release as well as the development version using dpkg -i. Might this have to do with the way I installed it and hence messed up permissions on any config files? I also don't get an event log.

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Open Options, Preferences
2. Go to Citation Key Generator
3. Double click the Default pattern "Key Pattern"
4. Enter desired pattern
5. Click Save
6. Open Options, Preferences
7. Check Key Pattern -> it has not been saved.

[Siedlerchr]

Did you press enter after entering the new pattern? That is a common problem.

[mwip]

That indeed solves the problem -- thanks.

That said, I think behaviour this is very counter intuitive. Even if it is as intended, one should be alterted that some settings will not be stored.

[Siedlerchr]

We are aware of this and fully agree with you. Unfortunately it's the default behavior of the underlying javafx gui framework which we cannot change. However, we have a warning in the help page for the dialog.
@calixtus already looked into this. Didn't you implement sth for the string dialog?

[calixtus]

No I did not. In fact, it's a well known bug in JavaFX. There are possible workarounds, some work better, some not, they all come with sideeffects (e.g. https://gist.github.com/james-d/be5bbd6255a4640a5357). We do have this on our priority list, but this would take some more work.
see https://bugs.openjdk.java.net/browse/JDK-8089514
and here https://github.com/kleopatra/swingempire-fx/tree/master9/fx8-swingempire/src/tableedit/de/swingempire/fx/scene/control/edit

[calixtus]

Maybe we need to place a hint on the tables to press return to commit changes as a temporary solution, as long as the bug persists? @Siedlerchr @koppor @tobiasdiez

[calixtus]

refs #6432 #5825

[Siedlerchr]

I'll close that now. Added the idea from calixtus to the linked issue